Immediate action to be taken at Santueri castle

The Council of Majorca has promised to take immediate action to prevent the further degradation of Santueri Castle in Felanitx while plans are drawn up for reforms. Maria Antonia Vadell, head of the Council's cultural department, described the state of the castle as “lamentable.” As reported yesterday, the base and part of the tower on the right hand side of the main façade have collapsed. Vadell said that meetings would be held with the Council, Felanitx council and the castle owners to reach an agreement over repairs. Both Vadell and Miquel Angel Grimalt, the Council's planning director, agreed that it would be a complicated and costly task, partly because of its position, on the top of a cliff, and partly because it is privately owned. She said that aerial photographs would have to be taken to study the extent of damage. Archaeologists have been complaining about the state of the castle for several years. Alaró castle, which, like Santueri, is perched on top of rocks, is also badly in need of repair. Alaro's Mayor, Josep Gomila, has called on the Council of Majorca to speed up bureaucratic work so that the keep can be restored. Part of the keep is in danger of falling down and the council asked for repairs to be carried out months ago, and although work has been authorised, the heritage board has still not drawn up the plans. Gomila said that after seeing what had happened at Santueri they should not let the matter rest.