Cidade Património Cultural da Humanidade, Guimarães. Da construção à reabilitação do centro histórico

Abstract

Guimarães, UNESCO Word heritage city since 2001, is the birthplace of Portugal. Its formation dates back from the 10th century, evolving from a previous village called Vimaranes (located on the intersection of roman roads) to two autonomous villages embraced by the same external line of walls but internally divided by a secondary wall, having a gate as its only connection point. One was called the Upper Village and the other one the Lower Village. Upon the demolition of the walls, the two were united and expanded beyond the former walls location. In the 17th century, the life outside walls increased, due to the nature of spaces, wider than the ones inside the walled perimeter. By the mid 19Th century, the village growths and increased importance determines its elevation to City. But that period also correspond to a time of destruction of several elements that were important to its identity, as some buildings and structures were demolished to be replaced by new constructions. That panorama is changed in the last decades of 20th century. With the interventions of architect Fernando Távora and Local Technical Office (GTL), a urban and architectonic renewal starts, a major contribution to the city valorization, in a process that involved both technicians as general population. "(...) was a huge challenge. It resulted in a major transformation in a city that was almost abandoned. People rediscovered, after a long time, its homeland. "1 Arch. Fernando Távora These are pioneer interventions in Portugal, which served the introduction of heritage conservation strategies, even anticipating international guidelines. The historical center revitalization methodology preserves urban heritage, architectural, social and functional values of each element being aware of the full identity of the city and not forgetting the confrontation with nowadays life new demands. This work seen as a model to follow by others cities continues today according to initial implemented rules. These interventions were important in the promotion of traditional materials and techniques uses as well as the qualification of the workmanship skills. These actuation is what permits the present work of constructive characterization of historical center dwellings, in a future intervention context. The buildings in the Historic Centre of Guimarães are characterized mainly by its granite masonry construction on the ground floor and wood structure on the upper floors. Its spatial distribution and facades design have a clear link between functional occupation and desired relationship with the outside. We visited some abandoned buildings in a state of degradation, some renewed buildings, and others at different stages of interventions, in which it was possible to assimilate a personal interpretation of the actual methodologies of rehabilitation and constructive characterization of the houses. In order to seize the premises of a rehabilitation action wishing to continue the safeguard of our heritage.