On July 15, 2016, the Dolmens of Antequera Site was declared a World Heritage Site. Ten years later, Mayor Manuel Barón recalls that historic day and the coup in Turkey that nearly overshadowed it.
The mayor of Antequera, Manuel Barón, reminisced this Tuesday about the tenth anniversary of the declaration of the Dolmens Site as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was on July 15, 2016, when the international organization gave the definitive yes in Istanbul, turning the Málaga city into a global cultural reference. "I gave thanks, a thousand thanks, for allowing us to gift the world the heritage of our ancestors from 6,000 years ago," Barón declared.
A candidacy that united the whole city
The achievement of the title was not a matter of chance. Barón highlighted the role of the Antequeran citizens, who rallied around the campaign "stone by stone." "Antequera established a new way of acting regarding a candidacy. That participation helped us become a World Heritage Site," he emphasized. The unanimous support from all administrations — the Government of Spain, the Junta de Andalucía, and the City Council — was key for the proposal to reach UNESCO.
The journey to Istanbul had several milestones. In Plasencia, the Spanish Historical Heritage Council gave the unanimous green light. Then, in December 2015, the Antequeran delegation managed to enter for the first time the ICOMOS headquarters in Paris, a moment that Barón remembers as "very tough." But the definitive signal came in May 2016, when the director of the archaeological site, Bartolomé Ruiz, received a call from ICOMOS requesting high-quality photographs of the assets. "He told me that only those who win get published. That’s when I knew we were doing well," the mayor confessed.
The D-Day: joy and then panic in Istanbul
On July 15, 2016, at 15:33 hours, the Madame Chair of UNESCO pronounced the "now declared decision 40 COM 8B.27 adopted." Applause erupted in the room. However, the celebration was short-lived. That very night, a coup in Turkey plunged the country into chaos. "We were in the hotel and suddenly all we could hear were gunshots. I thought: what if they come into the room, what do we do?" Barón recounted. The fear of being taken hostage by jihadist groups gripped the Antequeran delegation. Fortunately, the coup failed and they were able to return to Spain.
Barón emotionally recalls his arrival in Málaga: "Just like Pope John Paul II, the first thing I did was kiss the ground." There, family, friends, and welcome banners awaited him. That round trip marked a before and after for the city.
Legacy and future of the Dolmens Site
Ten years later, Antequera has changed. "We have changed the paradigm," Barón asserts. The UNESCO declaration has boosted cultural tourism in the region, attracting visitors from all over the world. The archaeological ensemble, made up of the dolmens of Menga, Viera, and El Romeral, as well as the natural area of El Torcal, are now a top tourist attraction.
For the residents of Antequera, the anniversary is a source of pride. "It is the second most important date in the city after September 16, 1410, when the square was conquered," the mayor pointed out. The celebrations will include institutional events and cultural activities throughout July.
The Antequera City Council has organized an open day at the archaeological site for this Saturday, with free guided tours. Additionally, a documentary about the candidacy process will be screened at the city’s cultural center. Undoubtedly, an anniversary that the people of Antequera will not forget.
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