For the conservation of this heritage, it is important that citizens actively participate in its defense and maintenance.

Learning and social inclusion classroom at the Old Castle site in Manzanares El Real

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Knowledge transfer and social participation

This project arises from the citizen initiative, channeled through the Manzanares El Real Cultural Association, which, faced with the risk of disappearance of the remains of the castle, asks the Manzanares el Real City Council and the General Directorate of Heritage of the Community of Madrid to take measures to safeguard it.

In response to this demand from citizens, in 2020 the city council acquired the old castle of Manzanares el Real and, with the support of the General Directorate of Heritage of the Community of Madrid, this historical and archaeological that includes an important facet of conservation of existing remains, raising awareness of the population about the value of cultural heritage, citizen participation, social inclusion and local development.

The design of the project is based on the archeology of the public. In this case, any interested person over the age of 18 actively participates, without further academic or personal requirements. The schedules and objectives of each campaign are dimensioned and projected according to this participatory methodology. Thanks to the archaeological research work, it will be possible to write the history of the castle and, in the future, the city council intends to incorporate this monument into the tourist and cultural circuit of the municipality.

Video presentation

Description:

The first objective was that the patrimonial asset passed into the hands of the city council to be able to invest in the archaeological recovery and its enhancement.

Objectives

In the medium and long term, the objectives are to value one of the most important historical assets of the municipality and generate social education and awareness about its importance among the residents.

Recover and preserve the old castle to incorporate it into the cultural and tourist circuit.
Train and sensitize the population about the value of cultural heritage as an indissoluble part of their identity.
Promote citizen participation in processes and decision-making related to heritage, as well as in its defense and maintenance.
Promote the social inclusion of people with disabilities through cultural heritage.
Putting cultural heritage at the service of the municipality.

Here we are all equal and that means that we are on a level of equality and mutual recognition of great value.

In addition, the work they are doing contributes to society, which makes people feel that their work is useful to the public.

Development

Archaeological excavation:

Development of the public archeology methodology.
Multidisciplinary project coordinated by the Autonomous University, made up of archaeologists, anthropologists, geologists, as well as scholars who analyze fauna, as well as restorers and conservators.
Student training classroom through an agreement signed by the university with the council and with an archeology company.

Inclusion:

Participation in the excavation works of the APADIS association of people with functional diversity, in tasks appropriate to their abilities.

Financing:

The financing of the excavations is the responsibility of the City Council, the complementary studies of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage. In the 2022 campaign, the Fundación Universidad Autónoma de Madrid joins with a knowledge transfer project.

Those who participate:

City Council, Community of Madrid, Autonomous University, APADIS and the Manzanares el Real Cultural Association.

Communication

The impact has been reported on the municipal website, social networks, the press and YouTube. Open Days are organized at the end of the campaign and participation in conferences, congresses, meetings and seminars to show the project and its characteristics.