Monuments converted into hotels: the sacrifice of architectural memory. The case of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil

Abstract

Some monuments have seen their original use was obsolete and found a second chance in the hospitality industry to secure their independence and, more important, their survival. But Tourism is primarily an industry of importance and, as such, its scope over the assets –chosen for exploitation– causes their conversion into products prepared for public consumption. And the main issue begins with the change of use and program. How to restore it? Through the study and application of determinate parameters of analysis we will get an answer of until which point the architectural memory has been sacrificed in the case of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil (Nogueira de Ramuín, Ourense), a Benedictine monastery turned into hotel by diverse interventions on it before, during and after the transfer of competencies from the State to the Autonomous Communities.