The Living Museums in Castile and León initiative is an innovative practice of sustainable cultural heritage management that combines the protection of intangible and tangible heritage with the reduction of environmental impact and the promotion of the development of local areas. This initiative facilitates tourism to monuments, museums and interpretation centres located in rural and less visited areas, through an intelligent system of admission time management based on 'on demand' opening, i.e. when there are no more bookings. This system keeps the sites closed until there are no more bookings, thus avoiding fixed and unnecessary openings that would consume energy and resources. Firstly, it significantly reduces the environmental footprint associated with lighting, heating and building management by rationalising the use of energy and material resources. Secondly, it disperses the concentrated flow of tourists, allowing for a more balanced distribution of spectators in time and space, in order to preserve the integrity of the sites and avoid overcrowding, which is often the cause of environmental and cultural disruption. In addition, the 'on demand' management system encourages more careful planning by tourists, who are faced with a system designed to improve sustainability.
From an economic and social point of view, the initiative supports the economy of local rural areas, creating a number of business and employment opportunities for businesses and cultural operators who manage the sites and related services. The dissemination of slow and responsible tourism also promotes the valorisation of traditions, crafts and local production, contributing to the conservation of intangible assets related to material culture, craft practices and oral traditions.
Concrete examples are the Torreón de Haza in Burgos (Figure 3) or the Archaeological Hall of Medinaceli in Soria, where the on-demand opening system is already in operation, demonstrating how technological innovation can be combined with heritage conservation and environmental sustainability. This model is also in line with UNESCO's recommendations for the sustainable management of intangible cultural heritage, which stress the importance of involving local communities and implementing practices that respect the natural and cultural environment that surrounds them. In short, the Living Museums of Castilla y León are an example of good practice that promotes environmental awareness through the intelligent and sustainable management of resources, the promotion of green management practices and the linking of cultural heritage with the sustainable development of rural areas.
Website: https://museosvivos.com/
Contact: visitas@museosvivos.com
