Carrying out construction work and improving the city are inherent assumptions in the redevelopment of the historic area, which is served by centuries-old roads and public spaces.
Awareness of this historical and archaeological reality led to the need for the local authority to ensure archaeological monitoring of the work involved in the project.
This procedure has so far made it possible to recognize traces of the city's historical past through the detection of several walls belonging to different docks/marinas that remain throughout the area around Praça 8 de Maio, heritage elements of modern and industrial chronology, or, more recently, the integration into the project of a considerable section of a late medieval wall (from the Age of Discovery), an unprecedented archaeological structure, detected and studied as part of the municipal construction project for a public car park next to the São Julião Parish Church.
For the archaeologist in charge, the municipal projects underway are “unique opportunities to recognize, record, and integrate heritage and archaeological elements that can enrich local history and are fundamental to the knowledge and study of the city's urban evolution, true historical materialities of the capabilities and achievements of the people and leaders of Figueira da Foz throughout the ages.”
Given the above, any minor delays that these projects may suffer “will be amply compensated by the volume of information collected and compiled about the city, as well as by the recognition of the existence of previously unknown heritage or archaeological elements that can be enhanced and integrated into the urban fabric,” as stated by the archaeologist.
Integrating the city's historical, archaeological, and natural heritage is a sign of progress undertaken by the City Council, since these values serve as elements that identify and differentiate the city from other municipalities, playing an important role in both the image and tourist appeal of the city: a city looking to the future, but conscious and proud of its history.
Source: Figueiranahora