Porto, July 18, 2024 (Lusa) - Portugal's North Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N) and the Irmandade dos Clérigos (Clérigos Brotherhood) signed an agreement on Thursday aimed at the "rehabilitation, conservation and restoration of the roofs and exterior façades" of Porto's 18th-century Clérigos church and its iconic tower.

The document, to which Lusa has had access, establishes "forms of collaboration" between the two entities, recognising that the national monument "needs conservation, rehabilitation and restoration work on the exterior façades in the short term," with the aim of "avoiding irreparable damage to the building and its integrated heritage."

According to the text, the intervention also aims to "guarantee the conditions" for "cultural use and enjoyment by visitors."

With this protocol, the CCDR-N undertakes to "make known the results of surveys, diagnoses, reports, studies and other relevant documents" for the purpose of the agreement, to "collaborate in the definition of programmes and preliminary studies for the conservation, restoration and enhancement" of the tower and to "ensure general coordination and provide technical support for the preparation of rehabilitation, conservation and restoration projects that may be promoted" by the Brotherhood of Clerics.

As for the Irmandade dos Clérigos, according to the text, it is responsible for, among other things, "contracting the architectural survey on the appropriate scale, as well as prior tests or studies" for the implementation of the actions covered by the protocol, "contracting the speciality projects, namely electrical engineering, stage lighting and conservation and restoration, the measurement and budgeting work and the maintenance plan, and promoting the appropriate public disclosure of the work and interventions to be carried out."

The two organisations have also undertaken to "collaborate in identifying possible sources of public funding for the conservation, rehabilitation and restoration of the building."

The signing of the protocol is scheduled for 5 p.m., followed by the unveiling of a mural by Marta Vilarinho de Freitas, featuring 10 sentences from 10 leading figures who contributed to the consolidation of the Clérigos tower as a landmark monument in the city of Porto.

The event will also include the projection of a videomapping show, music and entertainment from the tower's balcony, followed by the presentation of the new logo for the Clérigos church and tower, which will be unveiled during a performance by DJ Padre Guilherme, the Catholic priest Guilherme Peixoto who has won fame as a DJ at various church-related and other events.

JCR/ARO // ARO. 

Lusa