13 March 2025

The Portuguese Pavement Association submitted to the National UNESCO Commission the nomination of the “Art and Craftsmanship of Portuguese Cobblestone Pavement” for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This nomination aims not only to preserve this unique art but also to recognise pavers, the professionals essential to the construction and maintenance of this cultural heritage.

After three years of work, the Portuguese Pavement Association secured the support of more than 50 pavers from across the country, the collaboration of eight municipalities – Braga, Estremoz, Faro, Funchal, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, Porto de Mós, and Setúbal – and the backing of over twenty institutions related to culture, academia, training, professional organisations, and workers’ confederations. This mobilisation demonstrates the national significance of Portuguese pavement and the need for its recognition.

With this nomination of the “Art and Craftsmanship of Portuguese Pavement” to UNESCO, the aim is to ensure that Portuguese pavement continues to be a living symbol of national culture, respected and supported, and that its master pavers receive the recognition they deserve.

1 July 2025

The first review of the process has been completed and submitted, with the requested clarifications provided to the National UNESCO Commission and additional elements added to strengthen the nomination.