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The Department of Culture of the Junta de Andalucía has given approval in principle to a grant for the restoration of the Santa Barbara Fort. Thus the dream of a few people whom some called crazy is on track to become reality.
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”.
These words from the Jamaican journalist Marcus Garvey describe the spirit of the dream of Miguel Ángel Prieto of restoring the Santa Barbara Fort in La Linea, that silent witness of the origins of La Linea.
After more than a year of intense work, meetings, tantrums to make themselves heard and high expectations, Prieto and other La Linea citizens are beginning to see the results.
The “3rd of November 1730 Santa Barbara Fort Association” formed just over a year ago and led by Miguel Ángel Prieto has shown that every effort has its reward
As this pipe dream becomes a reality Miguel Ángel Prieto says: “It all started in May 2017 when I was walking near the Sports Centre. I stopped by the Santa Barbara Fort and thought how fantastic it would be to rebuild it from the ruins. I got in touch with the architect Alberto Bonelo and with Pepe Díaz, and put to them the idea of creating an association to promote it. We did so and filed plans with the Town Hall but they thought that we were crazy saying that it was impossible and that the Junta de Andalucía (the regional government) would never approve it.”
Virtual reality: the defining moment
Following an application for a grant from the Ministry of Development, Manuel Romero, a businessman from Seville produced a virtual reality video of the reconstructed Fort. That turned out to be the defining moment of the project so far. “For us it was a gem. We cannot thank him enough. He found out about our association from social media and offered to help carry out the task via an entity called “Otra Forma de Ver” (Another way of seeing). He produced an impressive virtual artist’s impression of the restoration.” says the president of the Association.
The members of the “3rd of November 1730 Santa Barbara Fort Association” then convened a number of meetings with political parties and civil organisations. In addition, a building plan was submitted to the Ministry of Development with a request for financial assistance. It was soon after that a European Union funding opportunity arose in the form of a scheme by the Junta de Andalucía for the redevelopment of buildings, open areas and cultural resources in Cádiz Province
The Junta de Andalucía’s approval
Once ready, the project was presented to the Council by the Town Hall of La Linea which was awarded the number of points needed for inclusion in a provisional list of potential recipients of financial support namely, 84 points and €1,200,000.
It has not been easy. A total of 40 municipalities made bids “and we are in fifth position among the eight which received preliminary approval. Having passed the first part of the filter we now await final confirmation from the regional representatives of the Ministry of Culture” says an emotional Prieto.
The first phase of restoration works includes the clearing of the pit and the paths, the erection of a fence and the removal of debris. Now all that remains is the long awaited official confirmation.
“To get here we have had to surmount many obstacles, we have sometimes had the sensation of defeat and unease; the fear that all our efforts would end up in a drawer of some dark office, although we have striven to keep our hopes up and then we have received the necessary spur to carry on from where we least expected it” says Miguel Ángel Prieto.
The President of the “3rd of November 1730 Santa Barbara Fort Association” assures that they have not sought personal kudos or looked for arguments. “We have been motivated by our city. This project belongs to all and is for the benefit of everyone”. We want to show that La Línea and the rest of the Campo de Gibraltar comprise a historic resource which we must exploit. The area has much to offer in this respect.
