Refurbishment of Dalí birthplace in Figueres begins

Work to refurbish the house in which Catalan surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was born has begun, with a first phase to strengthen the building's main structure underway.

The initial refurbishment of the house in the city of Figueres, in Catalonia's northern province of Girona, has been awarded to the Arcadi Pla S.A. building company.

The current work on the building, at a cost of over 1.1 million euros, is expected to take about a year to complete before the second phase can begin.

The aim is to create an information center about the famous painter, not only from an artistic point of view, but also covering his personal life, such as his family and upbringing. 

The work begins 25 years since the building was acquired by the local authority, which also wants the future center to provide information about Figueres in the past.

The total cost of the refurbishment will be 2.5 million euros, with 1.4 million from the Catalan government, 500,000 from the provincial council, and 250,000 from the state authorities.

Figueres mayor, Agnès Lladó, said it was "great news for the city" and she praised the work done by the various local governments since the building was acquired.

Figueres is also home to the Dalí Theatre and Museum dedicated to the artist's work and the place where Dalí's body is buried. The museum receives some 1.3 million visitors a year.