Safeguarding of the Portuguese heritage: the case study of Safi Cathedral, Morocco

Abstract

The city of Safi is located in the West African coast, about 150 km from the city of Marrakesh and 300 km south of Casablanca, Morocco. The Cathedral of Safi was the first Portuguese cathedral outside Portugal during the Expansion period and it is the most important example of the non-military Manueline architecture that still remains outside Portugal. The construction of the cathedral started during the decade of 1520. It was originally a three nave church and is believed to be similar to other temples of the time such as the Funchal or Guarda Cathedrals. During its history, the cathedral was occupied by Muslims who eliminated the naves, leaving only the main altar, one lateral chapel and an outside wall. The space of the naves was used to add several residential buildings and they turned the altar in a bathhouse for women (hammam in Arab). The altar, crowned by a ribbed vault, the lateral chapel whose roof, also vaulted, is missing and one alone standing external wall are the only original parts of the structure that are left. The Cathedral will be soon submitted to a structural intervention. The intervention includes the preservation of the original remains of the Cathedral, the correction of existing problems in the structure, improvement and installation of new infrastructure to support tourism and cultural events. Therefore, safety conditions and the conservation of the built heritage as a museum space must be assured