An ancient fort on the island of Berlengas may get a new life as an environmental reception and interpretation center for visitors to the Berlengas Nature Reserve. The island has been a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve for over a decade.
A Ministry of Environment and Energy spokesperson told press that the Reserve “does not have an environmental reception and interpretation centre that could contribute to a more informed visit by tourists.” At the same time, the former military post that was once used as accommodations, “is degraded and far below the historical and architectural potential it has.”
The statement said that “Recovering a degraded fort and transforming it into a hub for knowledge about biodiversity can enrich the experience of visitors who flock to Berlengas and provide a support structure for scientific activities, especially outside the tourist season.”
Visitors to the island pay a tourism tax, and renovation of the old fort would be expected to draw on those funds. The management committee of the Reserve has been given a six-month deadline to study the viability of the project, or to recommend a different use for the fort.
