Museum of The Royal Mint in Segovia

MUSEUM THE ROYAL MINT IN SEGOVIA

In the year 2000, 8th June (B.O.C.Y.L., 12th June), the Royal Mint of Segovia was declared

an asset of Cultural Interest, while the restoration works were already taking place. This included some alterations to the original site as a consequence of the implementation of a new series of legal orders, some of which prioritised protection and primacy over preservation. Concurrent

to the works in the complex of the buildings, and from their beginning, several archaeological studies have been carried out: they are included in the rehabilitation process of the site and have been present in all those cases in which terrain excavation has been necessary. Other works

included in the logical research actions have also been carried out. As a consequence, numerous and important vestiges of the history of the past functioning of the different parts of the area have appeared. They were remains which required special preservation measures and which have assumed a new patrimonial use. This is the reason why these tasks must be performed on site.

Thus, the Patronato de la Fundación Real Ingenio decided to order the creation of a special team for the coordination and monitoring of the works and the museum, the so-called Equipo de Coordinación y Seguimiento de las Obras y de la Museología. Their task, not yet finished, is to coordinate the project and its correct development according to these conservation regulations.

The team is responsible for the control of the new remains, their preservation during the works and their utilization in a new museology project. The main purpose of these measures was to avoid possible damage, while, at the same time, —sheltered by the presence of adequate machinery and a proper number of operators—, the installation of other dispersed pieces was being organized (the remains of machinery from the former flour mills, the last of the turbines which was in place, other remains found in the excavations, etc.) in such a way that everything integrated in the prospective museological itinerary could be appropriately preserved and shown to the visitor.

Although the museological study of the buildings started after the works had commenced, and according to previous plans, several aspects —which should have been foreseen— have later been considered and assessed: the general and real need of the museological work, the buildings’ future utility and the kind of museum that our society may need.

Similarly, the large and serious determinants of the complex have been studied; these define, with significant accuracy, future contents, such as the location of the Mint in the urban planning of the city, humidity and temperature levels, including flood risk, specific surveillance, the estimated maintenance costs, etc. That is, it analyses those elements whose impact on the proper functioning of the future museum will be significant and what can be anticipated from the preliminary design of the future museum.

Currently, the project is in an advanced stage of composition. In that document, the previous studies and the directives that the new facility should follow will be included.

Expectations for a museum of coining technology over the centuries will be considered.

The history of metal will be presented, from its extraction from the mines to its transformation into coins. Also, replicas of the coining presses will be shown and they will be located in the same places as the originals, with a particular focus on the era of Philip II.

The complex will be completed with an area devoted to the history of the buildings, their restorations included. Moreover, and with the aim of facilitating its future maintenance, a group of small houses for researchers will be added, with classrooms, a conference room and a library, as well as a restaurant.

Copyright@ text by Alonso Zamora Canellada

ROYAL MINT OF SEGOVIA C/ DE LA MONEDA S/N 40003 - SEGOVIA Tel. 921 475 109 www.casamonedasegovia.com casademoneda@turismodesegovia.com