Ferrovial Agroman is working on Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon’s cathedral and the oldest church in the Portuguese capital

Ferrovial Agroman is carrying out works on the See Patriarchal cathedral in Lisbon, the oldest church in the city. Works include retaining walls, structural strengthening, general and archaeological excavations, registration, inventory and general protection of this heritage site. The project covers construction of a museum area with an archaeological crypt, an archive area, improved access and weatherproofing of the church’s main areas. The patio and gardens are being improved, the vaults and chapels of the upper and lower cloisters restored, structures strengthened, and other necessary general conservation and restoration works carried out. Given the heritage value of the building, its spatial and construction characteristics and its cultural value, Ferrovial Agroman will install access ramps for persons with reduced mobility, fire prevention equipment, and temperature control systems within the whole building, which spans 4,450 m². Ferrovial Agroman is carrying out the project on behalf of the Cathedral Chapter, with a budget of 3,874m euros, within the framework of a protocol signed between the Ministry for Culture and the Portuguese Episcopal Conference in June 2009 as part of the “Cathedral Route” project aimed at giving back due attention and importance to Portugal’s cathedrals, given their incalculable religious, historical, artistic, cultural, symbolic and heritage value. Moreover, the Portuguese government is seeking to promote “a collective sense of ownership and shared responsibility of care for the conservation of a unique, diverse and multifaceted heritage, which is a living history of the country”. Once restored, this heritage will be virtually accessible through 360º videos. Santa Maria Maior, or the See, is Lisbon’s cathedral and the oldest church in the city. Since building works began in 1147, it has been modified on several occasions and has survived a number of earthquakes. It currently comprises a mixture of various architectural styles. The works team, headed by Juan Manuel Sánchez, Director for Portugal, Civil Works in Madrid and Civil Works in Castilla La Mancha, is comprised by Pedro Alexandre, Head of Building; Pedro Silva, Works Manager; Vitor Pifaro, Head of Special Facilities; José Almeida, Production Manager; Daniel Branquinho, Site Manager; José Carlos Freire, Admin Manager; and María Barros, Occupational Risk Prevention Manager.