Five centuries of heritage at risk as local authorities urge public respect for 16th-century architectural artifacts.
Portimão Municipal Council has launched a public awareness campaign to protect the 16th-century Manueline cantarias from the historic Quinta dos Morais, displayed at the Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles Garden near the Municipal Market.
Installed in a dedicated structure to keep local heritage accessible to all, the historic stone elements have suffered repeated vandalism, including graffiti, scratches, and littering. The restoration team from the Museum of Portimão, led by Andreia Romão, has had to conduct frequent repairs involving specialized cleaning and protective coatings.
Because new acts of vandalism continue to occur shortly after each restoration, the city is rolling out a multi-channel campaign asking the public for help. Officials emphasize that constant repairs divert valuable resources from other municipal heritage projects, making community respect and shared responsibility essential to preserving these symbols of Portimão’s history for future generations.
