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Video by Eliezer Hernandez

FEMA Awards $7.4 Million for Restoration of Historic Buildings in San Juan, Including La Fortaleza and La Casa del Libro

Federal Emergency Management Agency

May 12, 2021 | 2:10

San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 12, 2021 - FEMA awards over $7.4 million for restoration projects of historic buildings in San Juan. The allocation includes La Fortaleza de PR, La Casa del Libro and several historic cemeteries. Over $2.8 million is earmarked for the Santa Catalina Palace, known as La Fortaleza. The work includes the replacement of wooden floors and beams, the roof, the waterproofing system, brick walls and the historic window and door shutters. Some $2.7 million will support reconstruction projects at four historic cemeteries. These are: the Capital Cemetery; the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery, located between El Morro and the coast; the Villa Nevárez Cemetery; and the Villa Palmeras Cemetery. On the other hand, $1.8 million was allocated to the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture to repair La Casa del Libro. This space houses an important collection of antique books, more than 300 published in the 15th century and documents dating back to 1493.