Chronicle of an (un)foretold death: the disappearance of the historic building of the Junta de Obras del Puerto of Gijón/Xixón (Principado de Asturias)

Abstract

The disappearance of Industrial Heritage in our country continues to be a constant, despite in theory its importance has been assumed. In the case of the city of Xixón, located on the coast of the Principality of Asturias, these disappearances usually go hand in hand with speculation and date back to the 1970s and 1980s, coinciding with the process of industrial restructuring and the general economic crisis that was experienced at that time. However, not even the protected heritage elements are spared from demolition, as will happen to the historic building of the Junta de Obras del Puerto if the situation does not change. In this paper, we will approach its history in relation to the importance it has had in the development of the port and the neighbourhood in which it is located, Cimadevilla/Cimavilla. Likewise, the specific problems of these goods and how the current laws about Cultural Heritage are ineffective to protect them will be exposed. In short, a loss not only for the Cultural Heritage of our country, but for the memory of all the inhabitants of Xixón.