Italian cooperation together with other international actors is transforming the largest and oldest convent in Havana into a regional training centre for restoration trades. The European Union, Unesco, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Italian-Latin American Organisation were the main partners of the Oficina del Historiador de La Habana in the restoration of the Santa Clara College, part of the Caribbean Cultural Training Pole, created by the Transcultura programme to promote training.
As part of the collaboration, the Italian Ambassador to Cuba, Roberto Vellano, expressed his pride, saying, 'the restoration, which has not yet been completed, has overcome many challenges thanks to the commitment and expertise of all the partners involved.
After five years of intensive restoration work, the Oficina del Historiador de La Habana inaugurated the College in the restored spaces of the Santa Clara Convent, the largest and oldest monastic building in the city. This work was supported by €4.5 million in funding from the European Union, with technical assistance from Unesco through the 'Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity (2020-2025)' programme, as well as €1.3 million from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), with the project 'Santa Clara College. Restoration and enhancement of the monumental complex of the former Santa Clara convent (under implementation)', implemented by the Italian-Latin American Organisation (Iila).
This is a Unesco World Heritage jewel. With over 12,300 square metres spread over three blocks in the heart of the World Heritage area 'Old Havana and its System of Fortifications', the convent stands out for having one of the largest wooden roofs in Latin America and for housing the city's oldest water fountain. For its restoration, more than 600 tonnes of materials such as wood, paints and resins, mortars, electrical and plumbing systems, floors, lifts, furniture and technological equipment were used to restore the heritage values of this iconic building, adapted to its new function as an educational centre.
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