The Junta de Andalucia’s Museum Department has allocated a grant of €43,164 for the purpose of creating an Museum of Archaeology in Manilva.

The sum represents 100% of the amount applied for by Manilva Town Hall’s Culture Department for the project which will occupy two exhibition rooms in the Castle at Castillo, which was approved in September, 2006.

The money will pay for renovation works to the stone and brickwork of the Castle, as well as restoriation work to the floors, and installation of security glass in the windows.

These works will be carried out in accordance with the overall Castle Restoration project which was approved in 2002, and will be finalised by the 30th April.

Once these works have been completed work can be commenced on fitting out the museum with display cabinets and information panels, along with restoration and conservation of the numerous archaeological objects.

The museum will concentrate initially on Manilva’s Roman past, in particular the Roman villa, bathhouse, Necropolis and fish processing works, which are located in the area’s adjacent to the Castle.

Nevertheless the current programme of excavations taking place at the Los Castillejos de Alcorrín Bronze Age hill fort will provide material for an expansion of the museum to provide an archaeological timeline of Manilva’s rich history.