Málaga City Council and the University of Málaga have signed an agreement to promote archaeological research and protect the historical heritage of the city, including sites such as Cerro del Villar and Alcazaba.
Málaga City Council, through the Urban Planning Department, and the University of Málaga (UMA) have formalised a collaboration agreement aimed at the protection and study of the historical heritage of the capital. The agreement, with an initial duration of one year extendable for up to four more, was presented this Thursday by the mayor, Francisco de la Torre, and the rector of UMA, Teodomiro López.
The agreement will allow for the continuation and expansion of archaeological research at various points in the city, with particular attention to the Phoenician site of Cerro del Villar, considered one of the most significant in the south of the peninsula and the western Mediterranean. Work will also resume on the northwestern slope of the Alcazaba and at Cerro de la Tortuga, using non-invasive techniques such as geophysical surveys and micro-topographic mapping.
The mayor highlighted that collaboration with the university is key to gaining a deep understanding of urban archaeology. "Anything that involves caring for Málaga and working alongside the University seems positive to me," said De la Torre, who emphasised that the study "will give us many clues" about the city's past.
Rector Teodomiro López, for his part, valued the institutional cooperation and noted that the agreement opens the door to new lines of research. The project also involves the universities of Chicago and Marburg, and the results will be presented at the international congress on Phoenicians and Punics to be held in Malta.
In addition to excavations, the agreement includes the joint organisation of educational and outreach activities, such as courses, seminars, conferences, and scientific-technical days. The aim is not only to protect the heritage but also to disseminate the knowledge generated among the public.
The Urban Planning Department will be responsible for coordinating the actions, which are part of the municipal strategy to safeguard the historical legacy. The archaeological work will cover everything from buildings and mural paintings to sites, with a comprehensive approach that allows for the documentation and preservation of Málaga's past remains.
For the residents of Málaga, this agreement guarantees that the city's heritage will be studied and preserved to the highest scientific standards. The planned interventions will not only enrich historical knowledge but could also have a positive impact on cultural tourism and local identity.
The agreement is part of a line of work that the City Council has been promoting in recent years to protect the historical legacy, with investments in restoration and management plans. Collaboration with UMA strengthens the technical and scientific capacity of these initiatives.
The next milestone will be the international congress in Malta, where the first results of the joint research will be presented. Meanwhile, teams of archaeologists will continue fieldwork at Málaga's sites, with plans for new campaigns in the coming months.
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