Mbanza kongo: At least three UNESCO experts have been working in the city of Mbanza Kongo, in the Zaire province, to assess the current state of conservation of the Kulumbimbi ruins, the old cathedral, in preparation for restoration work in the coming days. The delegation includes the Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, Emanuel Caboco, and three French experts.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the director of the Regional Museum of the Kingdom of Kongo, Avelino Manzueto, stated that the visit follows an agreement to renovate the old Cathedral, which currently shows signs of structural degradation due to its construction in 1491 by Catholic missionaries. The monument, located in the heart of Mbanza Kongo, capital of the province of Zaire, requires urgent intervention to prevent unpredictable situations.
"Kulumbimbi already has some cracks in its architectural structure. The arrival of French technicians specializing in the management and conservation of historical sites is important to reverse this situation," Manzueto emphasized. The old Cathedral, also known as Kulumbimbi, played a significant role in the Mbanza Kongo Historic Center's elevation to World Heritage status on July 8, 2017.
The mission of the French experts in the city is scheduled to conclude next Friday. Recently, the Angolan government, through a presidential decree, approved a program aimed at renovating the monuments and historic sites of Mbanza Kongo. This initiative seeks to enhance the dignity of these sites and attract more national and international tourists.
