The Local Government Board of Lleida has approved a project aimed at the excavation, restoration, and signage of archaeological remains in the Cuirassa park, which was once the medieval Jewish quarter of the city. This initiative is part of the broader Integral Plan for the Historic Centre, supported by the Paeria, and is financed through the Generalitat of Catalonia's Neighbourhood and Villas Plan for 2025-2029.
The project has a budget of €250,000, including VAT, and will focus on completing excavation work to recover and highlight the remains of the structure known as the Casa del Pogrom, which was burned on 13 August 1391. The excavation will cover an area of approximately 200 square metres, with an average depth of 2.5 metres.
Restoration efforts will include the consolidation of the house's remains, treatment of the flooring, and the reinstatement of elements to enhance understanding of this Gothic-style building, adhering to principles of minimal intervention and maximum respect for original remains. The project will also improve lighting and security, with the installation of signs indicating that the area is under video surveillance and repairs to the fencing.
Additionally, the project will enhance the signage for the dissemination initiative “Las voces de la Cuirassa”, renewing five existing information panels with a consistent labelling system used in recent historical memory installations throughout the city. The texts will be in Catalan and Spanish, with QR codes linking to versions in English, French, and Hebrew.
The Jewish quarter of Lleida was home to the Jewish community until their expulsion in 1492. This community was one of the most significant in the Crown of Aragon, playing a crucial role in the economic and cultural development of the city. Previous excavations between 2017 and 2018 in the old seminary quarter aimed to enhance knowledge of these medieval remains, leading to the urbanisation of a 6,000 square metre park to commemorate its history. Last year, further archaeological prospecting was conducted in this area, and the process for its protection as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest has been completed.
In a related development, the Local Government Board has also approved a request for grants from the Generalitat of Catalonia's Cultural Initiative Support Office to promote the Catalan language locally. Specifically, €5,000 is being sought for campaigns to encourage the use of Catalan in commerce and hospitality, alongside €3,000 for studies on linguistic usage among the population and the commercial and hospitality sectors. These initiatives align with the strategic objectives set out in Lleida's plan to promote the use of Catalan and continue the Paeria's efforts in linguistic promotion and normalisation, aiming to enhance the presence and use of the Catalan language in commercial interactions and public services.
