Post by pigeonpie on May 22, 2010 12:41:57 GMT
Menorca’s latest tourist attraction - the Cathedral
For some years the Cathedral’s accounts have been in the red due to the high cost of maintenance and the Church authorities have decided to open it as a tourist attraction to raise funds towards its upkeep.
At the presentation of the project last Friday, the Bishop of Menorca, Salvador Giménez, and the Cathedral’s rector, Gerard Villalonga, explained that, possibly from 31st May, the doors will be open to tourists from 1030-1330 hrs. and 1600-1900 hrs. There will be three levels of entrance fee: 2 euros to visit the Cathedral; 4 euros for the visit plus an organ recital or visit to the museum; and 6 euros for all three. Pensioners will be allowed a discount of one euro off each price and children under 12 years will be free. Menorcans and residents will also have free entrance on production of their DNI or resident’s certificate and there will be no charge between 0730-0930 hrs. and 1900-2100 hrs. when Mass is held.
Leaflets printed in Spanish, Catalan, English and German will provide information on 22 aspects of interest, including the various side chapels, central nave and apse. Visitors will also be able to see the Museum, located behind the altar, with its collection of religious vestments and other items.
This summer, the half-hour organ recitals held at El Socors Church for the past few years will move to the Cathedral where they will take place every day, except Sunday, at 1130 hrs; the organists this year being Luba Klevtsova and Tomé Olives.
