De Marmerroute in Portugal, industrieel steenerfgoed prometen door toerisme [The Marble Route in Portugal. Promoting industrial stone heritage through tourism]

Abstract

The municipalities of Vila Viçosa, Borba and Estremoz, in the Alentejo region, sharing the largest marble reserve in Portugal, whose fine marble of excellent quality has been exploited over the last two millennia. Their industrial modernization at the beginning of the last century brought unparalleled economic development to the region, as well as profound changes to the landscape, giving rise in the process to a rich artistic, technical and industrial heritage. Therefore, studying, safeguarding and promoting this heritage has become a new challenge for our time, bringing together artistic, historical and cultural values with a view to the sustainable development of the region. A strategy that also involves promoting culture and tourism in a transversal way, offering social cohesion and enriching communities by publicizing and promoting their territory.