This comprehensive study delves into the preservation and conservation of European cultural heritage, with a specific focus on the Directorate-General for Buildings and National Monuments (DGEMN) in Portugal. The dissertation explores the historical context of cultural preservation in Portugal, particularly during the Estado Novo regime, and its impact on cultural initiatives. It also analyses the activities and interventions of DGEMN from 1929 to 2007, examining its alignment with international normative instruments.
The study presents a new vision regarding the performance of DGEMN, shedding light on its national and international knowledge and its application. It discusses the influence of the Salazar regime on heritage preservation and safeguard issues, highlighting the delayed incorporation of international alterations in monument interventions. Furthermore, the document provides insights into the DGEMN’s restorative interventions, particularly during the Estado Novo, and their portrayal as a propaganda action of the regime at various levels.
The document references key international sources such as the European Charter of Architectural Heritage, the Venice Charter, and UNESCO conventions. It identifies the main concepts of cultural heritage in the European context and their evolution between 1931 and 1975. Additionally, it aims to relate the principal European conceptions to the strategies of DGEMN in relation to Portuguese historical and architectural heritage.
