Guardamar castle reopens to visitors
GUARDAMAR del Segura’s castle and ancient walled town is reopening for guided tours this weekend following a €1 million project to carry out excavations, reconstruction work and improve access.
It was co-financed by the town hall and regional government-allocated EU FEDER funds.
There is now an interpretation centre in a 40-squaremetre portable building with information panels about the history.
Paths have been created around the area, laid over the gravel that has been used to cover and protect as yet unexcavated remains.
Benches have also been installed, as well as lighting and additional security cameras.
The work included reconstructing a breach in the western wall, which required the structure to be reinforced and enabled two stretches of the original wall to be uncovered, according to Guardamar archaeology museum (MAG) director Antonio Parres.
The first, from the 13th century, was a defensive structure while the other, from the 18th century, was a reinforcement against attacks with dynamite and fire arms.
Another discovery was the lower section of the fortified bell tower of the 18th century Renaissance church, as well as remains of pottery from Roman, Iberian, Phoenician, Greek, Islamic and late medieval times, all mixed together and often used in later improvements to the wall.
Sr Parres also noted that a body missing its head and one leg was found buried under a street between the houses and the wall, which he thought may well be a victim of a battle during the so-called ‘war of the two Pedros’ in the 14th century.
The final, Christian fortification and settlement were abandoned after it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1829.
Tonight (Friday) at the castle there will be a show of music and history by the Agrupación Musical de Guardamar from 21.00, for which seats can be reserved for free at www.agendaguardamar.com