The Xunta de Galicia has officially declared the Pazo de Lourizán, located in the municipality of Pontevedra, a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) under the monument category. This recognition marks a significant step in the preservation and enhancement of this unique architectural and landscape heritage site. The Galician Government is leading its comprehensive restoration with an investment of more than €17.3 million.
The BIC designation covers the main building, designed in the early 20th century by architect Jenaro de la Fuente Domínguez, as well as its remarkable natural surroundings: gardens, fountains, ponds, a greenhouse, a mill, and a historic woodland—one of the most prominent in Europe. The site’s architectural, historical, scientific, and symbolic value as a center of forestry education and Galician institutional history is key to this recognition.
The declaration was backed by favorable reports from the Galician Council of Culture, the Royal Galician Academy of Fine Arts, and the School of Architecture of the University of A Coruña. It establishes an integral level of protection, ensuring the preservation of the site and regulating future interventions according to the standards of the Galician Cultural Heritage Law (Law 5/2016).
The Xunta has reiterated its commitment to restoring the manor as a space open to the public, with construction expected to begin this year and conclude between 2026 and 2027. This initiative not only safeguards an icon of Galician heritage but also enables its transformation into a hub for culture, education, and public engagement.
With this new designation, Galicia now has 785 officially protected cultural assets, reinforcing its leadership in cultural heritage conservation across Spain.