The Invicta City has recently been in the news both indoors and outdoors for its unique characteristics. This time, it was the Porto granite that deserved all the attention, as it was distinguished as a Stone Unesco World Heritage Site.
Porto granite, used in several monuments and historic buildings, joins an international list of more than 50 stones classified by UNESCO. The distinction was formalized at the International Geological Congress in South Korea, promoted by the International Union of Sciences.
How did the process begin?
According to information quoted by the TSF, before this official recognition of granite as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, there had been a ‘failed’ attempt.
According to the same source, the application process began in 2013 at the hands of the geologist and Professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (UP), Maria Ângela Almeida.
Obstacles in the first application
The long application process, which has now finally been recognized, faced some obstacles along the way.
According to specialist Maria Ângela Almeida, quoted by the TSF, some of these constraints were:
- The lack of active granite quarries, although this was later proven by the existence of outcrops
- The Covid-19 pandemic itself
Granite on the list of UNESCO Heritage Stones
However, it’s safe to say that the effort was worth it, as granite has now been classified as a World Heritage Stone, as a result of a new application submitted in 2023.
This time, the inclusion of photographic evidence of granite outcrops, for example, in Rua do Monte Pedral and Avenida D. Afonso Henriques will have made all the difference, among other factors.
In this sense, Porto’s granite is now part of the list of 55 world stones distinguished by UNESCO. However, this is not the only case in Portugal, which also includes:
- Calcário de Ançã
- Stremoz Marble
- Lioz Limestone
- Brecha da Arrábida