Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo
Factors affecting the property in 2003*
- Avalanche/ landslide
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
- Other Threats:
Weakening of the foundations by the vegetation
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Increased population and deficient infrastructure
- More attention to be paid to stone conservation
- Impact of expected rise in tourism numbers and degradation of the sites
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2003
Total amount approved : 76,800 USD
| 1993 | Financial contribution for the services of 2 ... (Approved) | 14,000 USD |
| 1992 | Financial contribution for the monitoring of 5 cultural ... (Approved) | 3,300 USD |
| 1986 | Assist the authorities in preparing a request of ... (Approved) | 6,500 USD |
| 1980 | Equipment and expert mission for the fortifications on ... (Approved) | 53,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2003**
1993: expert mission; November 2001: joint UNESCO / ICOMOS monitoring mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2003
To date the Secretariat has not received any report from the State Party concerning the state of conservation of the site. Information received from the World Monuments Fund, which is considering the site for listing on the 100 Most Endangered Sites List " World Monuments Watch List", stated that in 2002 a landslide caused a 60 square meter collapse of the south perimeter wall. A grant awarded by American Express in 2003 for US$ 100,000 is funding the design and construction of an emergency roof and drainage restoration project at San Lorenzo. The castle of San Lorenzo is located far from the city and surrounded by a rain forest. The rain forest is one of the main causes of deterioration of the structure. The vegetation adheres to the wall surfaces, loosening the stones and making them unstable and eventually causing collapse. This vegetation also weakens the foundations.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2003
27 COM 7B.96
Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Panama)
The World Heritage Committee [58],
1. Noting the lack of information provided by the State Party,;
2. Thanking American Express for its grant awarded for the design and construction of an emergency roof and drainage restoration project at San Lorenzo,;
3. Requests that the State Party submit a progress report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the design and further measures taken for the conservation of the property in order that World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
[58] Decision adopted without discussion.
Draft Decision: 27 COM 7 (b) 96
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Noting the lack of information provided by the State Party,
2. Thanking American Express for its grant awarded for the design and construction of an emergency roof and drainage restoration project at San Lorenzo,
3. Requests that the State Party submit a progress report on the design and further measures taken for the conservation of the site, by 1 February 2004, for review at its 28th session.
Panama
Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
