Historic Center of São Luís has deteriorated properties, graffiti and risk of collapse The Historic Center of São Luís, an area recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1997, faces conservation problems at different points. Images show cracks, holes, exposed hardware, damaged roofs, graffiti and closed structures in squares and historic properties in the region. ? Click here and subscribe to the g1 Maranhão channel on WhatsApp Historic Center of São Luís, a UNESCO heritage site, has 87 mansions at risk of collapsing Historic Center of São Luís suffers from deteriorated properties, graffiti and signs of abandonment Reproduction/TV Mirante Among the places visited is Praça da Alegria, which is in the Center of São Luís. In the space, the accessibility ramp has holes, exposed hardware and tiles scattered across the floor. There are also broken sidewalks and damaged benches. Problems also appear in a historic property where a flower shop operates. The roof of the building has several holes, with leaks in different points, as well as broken windows. Employee Teodora Pereira, who has worked at the site for more than 20 years, reported fear about the condition of the structure. "I'm afraid of it suddenly collapsing. Look at the ceiling. It's full of holes. And the outside has already started to fall," he said. Praça dos Poetas is closed Praça dos Poetas has deteriorated walls and information signs taken over by the bush in the Historic Center of São Luís Reproduction/TV Mirante Praça dos Poetas, opened in 2020, is closed and surrounded by fences. The effects of time and lack of maintenance have compromised the structure and identity of the space. The plaques that should bear names and information about Ferreira Gullar, Lucy Teixeira, Bandeira Tribuzi and Dagmar Desterro are deteriorated. The lack of conservation has erased references linked to the history and culture of Maranhão. Praça Nauro Machado has cracks and damaged structures In Praça Nauro Machado, also in the Historic Center of São Luís, there are cracks and graffiti on the walls, as well as damage to the steps of a staircase. Where there should have been a trash can, all that was left was a rusty support. There is also exposed wiring on poles. Anyone who visits the square realizes that the place has not undergone major renovations in years. The last small revitalization took place in 2015. Since then, the space has been showing signs of deterioration. Agencies cite division of responsibilities When contacted by the report, the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) reported that Praça da Alegria is not protected by the agency and is only state listed. Regarding Praça Nauro Machado, the institute said that it is monitoring structural problems in a neighboring property, which has already had an approved recovery project, and added that the maintenance of the square is the responsibility of the City of São Luís. The City of São Luís informed that the squares receive maintenance from the municipality and that teams must carry out a new inspection in the locations shown in the report. He also said that Praça Nauro Machado has suffered vandalism during unauthorized events and stated that part of the isolation of the risk area was removed by the State government because of a June event. The government of Maranhão reported that it had begun work to revitalize Praça dos Poetas, with renovation of bathrooms, kiosks, flooring, landscaping and restoration of plaques and busts. Regarding Praça Nauro Machado, he advised that clarifications be made by IPHAN.