When parts of the Matrera Castle – Castillo de Matrera – slided into the ground in 2013 it prompted a red alert from Hispania Nostra. Officially designated as important cultural heritage, locals set about restoring it. Now the result has caused horror among conservationists.
Matrera Castle was built by Omar Ben Hafsun in the late ninth century. In 1256, the town, the castle and the dependent villages, were donated by Alfonso X to the Military Order of Calatrava, who had conquered the area. In the early fourteenth century, it returned to Muslim hands. However, in 1341 it was definitively re-conquered by Alfonso XI. In 1342, the monarch gave the castle and its territories to Seville. It is situated on the last frontier and was finally besieged by the Muslims in Granada in 1408 and 1445.
However, in 2013 the vaults of the tower sank after previous landslides. The collapse caused the complete loss of the three floors of the tower and its vaults, the entire north wall and part of the West. This catastrophe was expected and the municipality of Villamartín had repeatedly warned the Government of Andalusia, which nevertheless had decided to disregard it.
Subsequently (in 2014) Hispania Nostra placed the Matrera Castle on the Red List, in order to draw attention to the disaster and warn that the deterioration continued. This led to an intervention by the regional government, which has caused horror among conservationists all over Europe. Using a concoction of steel and cement, the tower may have had its profile reconstructed. Nevertheless, to anyone, familiar with the landscape of Southern Spain dotted with more or less romantic ruins it seems unnecessarily harsh. Afterwards, the public has speculated whether the restoration was done to make a statement about the present non-interventionist custodial practice, which basically works to keep any ruin “as is”
The architect in charge of the project has defended the restoration, telling the Guardian there “were three basic aims behind it”. Carlos Quevedo said: “To structurally consolidate those elements that were at risk; to differentiate new additions from the original structure … and to recover the volume, texture and tonality that the tower would originally have had.” Responding to the criticism, he added: “As far as I’m concerned, opinions are always welcome and constructive criticism and debate are always enriching.”
The project has been specifically designed to avoid “aesthetic mimicry involving falsification and loss of authenticity” using for instance original lime wash on the parts set up to preserve the ruin. Such a coating would originally have covered the tower. According to the architect the project thus intends to capture a memory, rather than mimicking the past.
Vilharigues Tower in Portugal – Torre de Vilharigues
Another example of a ruin, which has suddenly achieved a whole new look, is the Vilharigues Tower in Northern Portugal. Like other such castles, this tower is located on a sharp rise, providing magnificent and superb views of the town of Vouzela and the valley of Lafões. The tower was built in the late thirteenth century or the beginning of the fourteenth century, and is typical of the military buildings, which were introduced in the reigns of Alfonso III, and Dinis. It is one of three towers, which together controlled the valley and served as prestigious houses for the local lords. Another tower, in the city of Alcofra, is much less dilapidated. Plans have been unveiled to
The tower is fitted with battlements and arrow slits, which are typical of castles built with royal permission at this time. However, its function was obviously not military. It consisted of three floors, with stock room on the ground, followed by an audience room. On top were the living quarters for the lord and his family. It is not known for whom it was built. The tower has bee classified as a Building of Public Interest.
In 2006 the local magistrates in the town of Vouzela decided to have the tower restored as part of a general restoration campaign of medieval monuments in the area. The architect, Renato Rebelo, created a plan for an intervention, which might make the tower accessible for people wishing to get a sense of the landscape. The new ground floor is dedicated to house a memorial exhibition of the Portuguese hero, Duarte de Almeida (1476), while the upper floors hold the collections of the local museum and a library. The restoration was carried out in 2013 and plans are underway to follow up with the construction of a local Eco-museum in Cambra – Ecomuseu de Carvalhal de Vermilhas – focusing on life in the middle ages. The museum is expected to open in 2019.
The intervention of the tower was constructed in such a way, that it might be removed in the future. Nevertheless, it has been regarded by some as a rather heavy-handed restoration project.
SOURCES:
Restauración de la Torre del Homenaje del Castillo de Matrera. By Fundación arquia
Vouzela quer recuperar potencialidades históricas e arqueológicas que o tempo apagou
Torre Medieval de Vilharigues reconstruída
VIEW:
Castillo de Matrera is located near the town of Villamartin in the Cadiz province. Its proper name is Torre Pajarete or La Fortaleza de Matrera, Castillo de Matrera or (Matrera Castle
FEATURED PHOTO:
Castle Matrera after restoration © Fundación arquia