Traditional cobblestone nominated for Intangible Cultural Heritage

After three years of work, the Portuguese Pavement Association, with more than 50 pavers, the collaboration of 8 municipalities – Braga, Estremoz, Faro, Funchal, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, Porto de Mós and Setúbal and the support of more than 20 national public and private institutions – concluded the application process to UNESCO, with the aim of preserving and promoting this art, which is at risk of extinction, reads a press release sent to the newsroom.

Over time, the Portuguese pavement has consolidated itself not only as one of the main cultural, identity and aesthetic references of the national territory – mainland and islands – but also as a fundamental element of the urban landscape, contributing to the identity of Portuguese space, history and culture.

The Association undertook the preparation of the application of the Art and Know-how of the Portuguese Pavement to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with the aim of valuing the knowledge, know-how and mastery of pavers and other plastic artists who have carried this technique over the years. Today, it is spread throughout various parts of the world as a Portuguese cultural brand, with a special presence in Brazil and other countries with which Portugal maintains cultural exchanges, confirming its universal relevance.

This candidacy also serves as an appeal to public entities, national and local, to commit to the preservation and promotion of this art that should be assumed as a strategic asset for the affirmation of Portugal.

About the Portuguese Pavement Association

The Portuguese Pavement Association, established in 2017 at the instigation of the Lisbon City Council, has the mission of protecting, valuing and promoting (nationally and internationally) the Portuguese Pavement as a cultural and identity heritage of Portugal. Its members are the Municipality of Lisbon, the Municipality of Porto de Mós, ASSIMAGRA – Portuguese Association of the Mineral Resources Industry, the University of Lisbon, UCCLA – Union of Portuguese-Speaking Capital Cities and the Portuguese Group of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property.