Lorca invests 600k in Alfonsina Tower renovations
The Alfonsina Tower of the Castle of Lorca is one of the most visited sites in the city
Lorca Town Hall is embarking on an exciting project to rehabilitate and adapt one of the city’s most popular attractions, the Torre Alfonsina at Lorca Castle. The aim is to improve the accessibility and conservation of the municipality's most important monument.
The Mayor of Lorca, Fulgencio Gil Jódar, announced this project on Tuesday May 13.
During the visit, the mayor highlighted the importance of these restoration and visitor adaptation works on the Alfonsina Tower.“This is a very important project for the conservation of our city's historical heritage and for its development as a leading tourist destination in the Region of Murcia,” he said, adding that “the Alfonsina Tower is one of the great symbols of Lorca's history, and its restoration guarantees not only its preservation but also its integration into the Lorca Castle tourist route”.
“The goal is for Lorca residents and visitors to enjoy an accessible and adapted space, with the best conditions for their visit," the mayor emphasised.
The project is expected to have a positive impact on both tourism and the local economy, generating more employment and promoting the economic development of the municipality.
Furthermore, improved access and the installation of new lighting and signage will improve the experience of the thousands of tourists who visit the castle each year, both in the daytime activities offered by Lorca Taller del Tiempo and in the evening tours.
“We want to make Lorca an even more attractive and welcoming tourist destination, offering a broad, local and high-quality program throughout the year, which will help us de-seasonalise tourism, so that visitors can enjoy the beauty of our municipality year-round," Mr Gil Jódar said.With an investment of €600,000, the project involves a range of work to improve the Alfonsina Tower and its surroundings. This includes archaeological work; improving access to the tower; adapting the path up and installing railings and lighting; the conservation and restoration of the ‘Cortina 19’ wall, consolidating the walls and applying protective treatments; and the creation of a viewing platform and the installation of interpretive signage.
In addition, the Parade Ground will also be adapted, improving the surface, restoring architectural elements and reinforcing security; the interior of the Alfonsina Tower will be renovated, with staircase repairs, the installation of protective coverings on the openings and improvements to lighting and audiovisual equipment; work on the roof, eliminating leaks, improving water drainage and installing panoramic signage.Finally, the entire site will receive general cleaning and tidying up, and information panels will be installed to give visitors a better understanding of the monument and its surroundings.
The work will be done in a way that respects the original structure and uses traditional techniques and materials. The team will avoid digging or excavating in areas that could damage hidden remains, and any new additions will be clearly marked and easy to remove if needed.
Lorca Castle is considered a National Monument and declared a Site of Cultural Interest. It is the most visited monument in the city and a unique tourist attraction in the Region of Murcia and neighbouring communities.
The entire project has a six month execution period.
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Images: Ayuntamiento de Lorca
