Reconocimiento patológico de una fortificación histórica para su mejoramiento y valorización turística

Abstract

The tourism industry has been growing steadily in recent decades around the world. Historical structures play an important role in the culture, history, architecture and society of the countries. Therefore, the proper management and valuation of historical heritage plays a fundamental role in this context. Over the centuries, historical heritage has been subjected to significant natural and anthropogenic challenges, which could lead to a high level of deterioration, putting its own historical-cultural value and use at risk. Pathological recognition in historical structures is vital to identify the main causes of deterioration and therefore to establish adequate ordinary and extraordinary maintenance plans that keep the presence of tourism alive in cities and in the regions where they belong. Defense structures such as castles and walls are among the structures that most generate tourist interest. They are affected by deterioration to be in border areas, often exposed without protection to environmental action (wind, rainwater, ocean waves, etc.), and anthropogenic factors, among others. This article focuses on the San José Battery Fort, part of the most extensive military fortifications system in South America, which is located in the city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. The ICOMOS-ISCS methodology was used in order to characterize the most frequent damage mechanisms in the fort, the present pathologies, possible causes of deterioration and thus determine its general vulnerability. This study will serve as a guide for the future processes of restoration and intervention of the Cartagena forts.