Cotxa Colomer Owners Go Solo on Restoration After Quitting Public Deal
Owners of Andorra's historic Cotxa colomer end tripartite restoration agreement with Encamp council and government due to budget issues, now funding.
Key Points
- Owners of Andorra's historic Cotxa colomer end tripartite restoration agreement with Encamp council and government due to budget issues, now funding and managing works independently.
The owners of the Cotxa colomer in Encamp have opted to continue its restoration independently, severing ties with the local council and the government to pursue a revised timeline suited to their financing options.
Restoration work on the historic structure began in 2022 under a tripartite agreement between the owners, Encamp council, and the culture ministry. The deal outlined a 15-month project to stabilise the building, including structural repairs, wooden floor reinstatement, roof restoration, wall consolidation, enclosure improvements, and enhanced accessibility. The total budget was set at €268,000, with €68,000 contributions each from the council and government.
Shortly after works started, however, a budget overrun prompted the owners to request withdrawal from the agreement. Encamp council approved the termination in mid-December 2024. Neither public body has disbursed its funds, which council officials have now redirected to other initiatives.
Both the council and government have expressed gratitude to the owners for pressing ahead with the project and respect their decision, despite the preference for joint efforts. They remain open to future collaborations, noting the owners' similar interest. The council confirmed no payments were made and that funds were freed up last December.
During last year's European Heritage Days, visitors toured the site and viewed progress, though council restrictions limited discussion to technical aspects, avoiding financial or agreement details. Officials hope the colomer will eventually feature in guided tours and cultural activities, such as exhibitions, as originally planned in a second phase.
The Cotxa colomer, located in the Bons district, is listed in Andorra's general cultural heritage inventory and Encamp's catalogue of historic buildings as a parish-level cultural asset. Dating from the modern era, it stands out in vernacular architecture for its age, unique design, and tower-like colomer typology.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: