Laureano León, the regional Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports, has announced a 10% increase in the investment allocated to heritage for 2027 during his visit to the newly uncovered sections of the medieval wall in Plasencia, revealed through archaeological work around the Postigo de Santa María.
The budget will rise from 10.9 million euros in 2026 to 12 million euros. Additionally, the upcoming budget incorporates a shift in heritage policy, focusing on large strategic programmes that allow for planned and sustained intervention on the main cultural assets of Extremadura.
Among the key initiatives is the Repara Plan, which is allocated 2.18 million euros for the recovery of architectural and archaeological heritage affected by adverse weather conditions. This programme will enable actions on cultural assets that have suffered damage from extreme climatic events.
Furthermore, the budget includes the Almena Programme, with an investment of 1.34 million euros for work on walls, defensive architecture, archaeological heritage, and ethnographic assets, aiming to preserve some of the most representative elements of Extremadura's historical and cultural identity. Together, these initiatives total 3.52 million euros, accounting for nearly 30% of the total budget allocated to the General Directorate of Heritage in 2027.
The minister explained that this budget reflects a new approach to public investment in cultural heritage. "We are not only investing more in heritage; we are changing the way we invest, evolving from specific actions to large programmes that protect and enhance our historical legacy," he stated.
Accompanied by Adela Rueda, the General Director of Heritage, and David Dóniga, the mayor of Plasencia, León observed the results of an intervention that has expanded knowledge of the city's walled enclosure, revealing new construction elements linked to the wall, a defensive tower, and the historic access point of the Postigo de Santa María.
