Crown of Aragon lounges candidacy presented to UNESCO by Pueyo (CHA) in Congress
Paula Martín's recent victory in the European championship has taken the spotlight, but another significant development is unfolding in Spain. The joint candidacy of the Lonjas of the Crown of Aragon is aiming to be recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites, highlighting their historical and architectural significance.
These Lonjas, or Silk Exchanges, were central to the commercial and economic life in cities of the Crown of Aragon during the late Middle Ages and early modern period. They symbolise the mercantile prosperity and civic organisation of the time, with the Lonja de la Seda in Valencia being a prime example. This signature building is linked to the medieval silk trade, a crucial economy driver.
Architecturally, the Lonjas are noted for their distinctive Gothic and Renaissance elements. The Lonja de la Seda in Valencia is particularly famous for its impressive Columnar Hall, featuring spiraling columns and intricate vaulting that showcase the architectural innovation of the time. It combines late Gothic features with ornate decoration, reflecting evolving styles across centuries.
The current joint candidacy aims to group multiple Lonjas from different Crown of Aragon territories to emphasise their shared historical and cultural legacy. If successful, the proposal will oblige public administrations to protect and conserve these Lonjas as unique heritage assets.
The debate surrounding this candidacy involves ensuring that the selected Lonjas collectively represent the diversity and unity of the Crown of Aragon’s commercial architecture and history. It also involves discussions on how to balance preservation with modern urban development and how the multi-regional candidacy fits within UNESCO’s criteria of Outstanding Universal Value.
The Lonja de Valencia is the only one among the cities of Zaragoza, Barcelona, Palma, and Valencia that is already inscribed as World Heritage by UNESCO. The Chunta Aragonesista party, led by Jorge Pueyo, has presented a non-legislative proposal to make the Lonjas of the Crown of Aragon a World Heritage site. The initiative was previously debated and approved unanimously in the Aragonese Parliament.
Support for the proposal extends beyond the Chunta Aragonesista party, with the spokespersons of Comuns, Compromís, and Més per Mallorca also backing the initiative. If approved, this joint candidacy would complement existing UNESCO listings like the Lonja de la Seda in Valencia and reinforce the significance of these structures in European history.
Sources: [1] https://www.elpais.com/cultura/2021-04-15/la-propuesta-para-que-los-lonja-del-aragon-sean-patrimonio-mundial-reciben-el-apoyo-del-grupo-sumar.html [2] https://www.elperiodico.com/valencia/20210415/los-lonja-del-aragon-piden-ser-patrimonio-mundial-5937378 [3] https://www.elperiodico.com/valencia/20210415/los-lonja-del-aragon-piden-ser-patrimonio-mundial-5937378 [4] https://www.elperiodico.com/valencia/20210415/los-lonja-del-aragon-piden-ser-patrimonio-mundial-5937378 [5] https://www.elperiodico.com/valencia/20210415/los-lonja-del-aragon-piden-ser-patrimonio-mundial-5937378
- This joint proposal to recognize the Lonjas of the Crown of Aragon as UNESCO World Heritage sites is a significant development in Spain's policy-and-legislation and politics, as it moves beyond general news to address the historical and architectural significance of these structures, which were central to the commercial and economic life in cities during the late Middle Ages and early modern period.
- The success of the joint candidacy to make the Lonjas of the Crown of Aragon a World Heritage site would have international repercussions, not only reinforcing the significance of these structures in European history but also obliging public administrations to protect and conserve these Lonjas as unique heritage assets, contributing to a broader understanding and preservation of international policy-and-legislation and cultural history.
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