Bien de Interés Cultural
Encyclopedia
A Bien de Interés Cultural is a category of the Spanish heritage register. This category dates from 1985 when it replaced the former heritage category of Monumento nacional (national monument) in order to extend protection to a wider range of cultural property
. Monumentos are now identified as one of the sub-categories of Bien de Interés Cultural.
The term literally means "Property of Cultural Interest", although a better translation could be "Heritage of Cultural Interest", as Spain now protects not only material heritage, like monuments or movable works of art, but also intangible cultural heritage
. An example of intangible cultural heritage which now enjoys protection is the Silbo Gomero language.
Some bienes enjoy international protection as World Heritage Sites
or Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
.
). There have been some differences in approach between autonomous communities.
An example is bullfighting
(which at a national level is now regulated by the Ministry of Culture). Madrid's regional government considers that bullfighting events should be protected as cultural heritage, whereas there is a ban on bullfighting in Catalonia
.
Cultural property
Cultural property are the physical constituents of the cultural heritage of a group or society.-Definition:Article 1 of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954 defines cultural property as follows:...
. Monumentos are now identified as one of the sub-categories of Bien de Interés Cultural.
The term literally means "Property of Cultural Interest", although a better translation could be "Heritage of Cultural Interest", as Spain now protects not only material heritage, like monuments or movable works of art, but also intangible cultural heritage
Intangible cultural heritage
The concept of intangible cultural heritage emerged in the 1990s, as a counterpart to the World Heritage that focuses mainly on tangible aspects of culture...
. An example of intangible cultural heritage which now enjoys protection is the Silbo Gomero language.
Some bienes enjoy international protection as World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
or Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
The Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity was made by the Director-General of UNESCO starting in 2001 to raise awareness on intangible cultural heritage and encourage local communities to protect them and the local people who sustain these forms of cultural...
.
Sub-categories
- Non-movable heritage is divided into the following classifications:
- MonumentoMonument (Spain)The current legislation regarding historical monuments in Spain dates from 1985. However, Monumentos nacionales were first designated in the nineteenth century. It was originally a fairly broad category for national heritage sites protecting, for example, the Alhambra...
(monument) - Conjunto histórico (historical group or set)
- Jardín históricoJardín históricoJardín histórico means "historic garden" in Spanish, and is a term applied to a number of gardens in Spanish-speaking countries.In Spain Jardín histórico is a heritage listing which protects historic gardens...
(historical garden, e.g. the Real Jardín Botánico de MadridReal Jardín Botánico de MadridThe is an botanical garden located at , next to the Prado Museum in Madrid ....
) - Sitio histórico (literally a historic site, the term is used for cultural landscapeCultural landscapeCultural Landscapes have been defined by the World Heritage Committee as distinct geographical areas or properties uniquely "..represent[ing] the combined work of nature and of man.."....
s, e.g. RiotintoMinas de RiotintoMinas de Ríotinto is a town and municipality located in the province of Huelva, southern Spain.-External links:* - Sistema de Información Multiterritorial de Andalucía* - Riotinto's website...
mines) - Zona arqueológica (archaeological zone, e.g. Archaeological Site of Atapuerca)
- Monumento
- Movable heritage
- Protected objects include archeological artefacts, archives and large works of art.
Regional variants
Under the Spanish system regions maintain their own registers of cultural heritage (see Patrimonio histórico españolPatrimonio histórico español
Patrimonio histórico español is a term for Spain's heritage, including National Heritage Sites. The Ministry of Culture has a department, the Subdirección General de Protección del Patrimonio Histórico which maintains a heritage register.The term has a similar meaning to Bien de Interés Cultural ,...
). There have been some differences in approach between autonomous communities.
An example is bullfighting
Bullfighting
Bullfighting is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal, southern France and some Latin American countries , in which one or more bulls are baited in a bullring for sport and entertainment...
(which at a national level is now regulated by the Ministry of Culture). Madrid's regional government considers that bullfighting events should be protected as cultural heritage, whereas there is a ban on bullfighting in Catalonia
Ban on bullfighting in Catalonia
Bullfighting was banned in the Spanish region of Catalonia by a vote of the Catalan Parliament in July 2010. The ban comes into effect on 1 January 2012...
.