In 2011, after the partial collapse of the Matrera Castle in Cádiz, Spain (dating back to the 9th century) the city decided to restore the remaining tower, with the aim of preventing its collapse and protecting the few elements that were still standing.
The challenge fell into the hands of Spanish architect Carlos Quevedo Rojas, whose design received the approval of the Regional Government of Andalucía, in compliance with the Historical Heritage law 13/2007, which prohibits mimetic reconstructions and requires the use of materials that are distinct from the originals.
In the words of the architect: “This intervention sought to achieve three basic objectives: to structurally consolidate the elements that were at risk; to differentiate the additions from the original structure (avoiding the mimetic reconstructions that our law prohibits) and to recover the volume, texture and tonality that the tower originally had. The essence of the project is not intended to be, therefore, an image of the future, but rather a reflection of its own past, its own origin.”
The polemical restoration has provoked a broad international discussion about heritage restoration, and the Izquierda Unida group has said it will bring the case to the Andalusian Parliament’s Culture committee to see if the restoration was the result expected by the Ministry of Culture. On the other hand, while the building had previously received only sporadic visits, it has now become a new tourist attraction in the area.
Why has a restoration based on the anastylosis technique – which exists around the world – caused so much controversy? It is it really a “heritage massacre” as the media has said? Do you think it could have been carried out in a better way?
Join the debate and leave your comments after the break.
'What the hell have they done?' Spanish castle restoration mocked https://t.co/OQLZLFxiLY
— The Guardian (@guardian) 9 de marzo de 2016
El “desastre” del Castillo de Matrera se convierte en un nuevo Ecce Homo mundial https://t.co/t2qGlNlWEy pic.twitter.com/IoO3FvXqOg
— La Vanguardia (@LaVanguardia) 10 de marzo de 2016
This is a perfect example of how not to restore an old castle https://t.co/sq0irz6bBN pic.twitter.com/ceeqZSAAu4
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) 10 de marzo de 2016
La Junta de Andalucía defiende la polémica restauración de la torre de Villamartín. https://t.co/d2GcGq4ZPl
— EL MUNDO (@elmundoes) 11 de marzo de 2016
La restauración del castillo de Matrera, en Cádiz, foco de todas las críticashttps://t.co/hD8SotbmaD pic.twitter.com/GTFBm3nrIK
— RTVE (@rtve) 11 de marzo de 2016
"Una de las normas en restauración es no hacer nada que sea irreversible". Las mejores muestras de todo lo contrario https://t.co/QVE8LLDdWN
— EL PAÍS (@el_pais) 12 de marzo de 2016
Polémica en Cádiz: «La intervención en el Castillo de Matrera ha sido poco afortunada» https://t.co/fq0yNQ2Jqe pic.twitter.com/wJz6Z5m0Be
— ABC.es (@abc_es) 11 de marzo de 2016
La restauración del castillo de Matrera en España: ¿un nuevo Ecce Homo? https://t.co/tskC76ZYwJ pic.twitter.com/sEhM1Cf2e1
— BBC Mundo (@bbcmundo) 11 de marzo de 2016
Vídeo 🎥 | La polémica restauración del Castillo de Matrera atrae a los turistas https://t.co/2vEfDwm52R pic.twitter.com/ap9tV2F4wI
— 20minutos.es (@20m) 13 de marzo de 2016
