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30/06/2003

Almost 30,000 visitors during the first six months of 2003

30/06/2003 This means that by the end of the year, an estimated total of nearly 300,000 people will have visited the Cathedral since 1999.

30/06/2003 The restoration project for Vitoria-Gasteiz´s Santa María Cathedral and the Programme of Guided Tours linked to the Master Plan have become the objects of intense architectural, tourist and cultural interest thanks to their unique nature and their popularity with both residents and visitors alike. During the first six months of 2003, the number of visitors to the cathedral totalled almost 30,000. This means that by the end of the year, an estimated total of nearly 300,000 people will have visited the building since it was reopened to the public in 1999.

During the first six months of this year the restoration work has progressed significantly in three important areas: the renovation of the entranceway leading to Cuchillería Street, the consolidation of the pillar foundations and the replacement of the scaffolding in the south crossing.

The work to consolidate the foundations began at the beginning of March. After casing the foundations with masonry walls or shoring rings, in September, hydraulic lime will be injected in order to complete the process. Previously, the pillars will be shored up with a series of metallic structures in order to take the weight off the foundations while the lime is carbonating or solidifying. Once the foundations have been consolidated, a series of stone arches will be added on which the structure of the definitive floor will be placed.

Work scheduled for the second half of the year
The guided tours will gradually incorporate new features as the work progresses. During the second half of 2003 the following work has been scheduled: shoring up of the columns and injection of hydraulic lime in the pillars; construction of a new platform in the crossing ready for subsequent excavation; assembly of a metal support plate and in the north-eastern corner of the crossing; archaeological review of the excavations carried out in the central naves and the start of a new excavation in Santa María Square; and the construction of a crypt for housing the remains of the bishops buried in the presbytery, among others.