The Medieval Tower of Alicante Transformed into Lego Blocks

Las Torres de la Huerta de Alicante form a unique heritage ensemble in Spain. These are defensive constructions built in the Middle Ages as shelters for the population to defend against Berber pirate incursions, who attacked settlements in search of provisions and belongings from a land already rich thanks to its agriculture.

As there was no way to prevent pirates from landing from the Mediterranean, from whom the farmers and population needed protection, a network of towers was established as a refuge from the 16th century onwards. Of all the constructions, catalogued as Cultural Interest Assets (BIC) since 1949, only 25 remain distributed among Mutxamel, El Campello, Sant Joan, and Alicante.

The evolution of cities has gradually integrated them into the urbanization of the former Huerta de Alicante, as happened with the Torre Placia, surrounded by a bungalow development on Clara Campoamor Street, which was authorized with a municipal construction license in 2000.

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The stone-by-stone relocation of the Torre Placia to its new location begins

A problem solved by the relocation, stone by stone, of the medieval tower to a new site, a municipal property plot located between Pintor Pérez Gil and Conrado Abaladejo avenues and Juana Francés Street, in the Damas del Fuego park.

A project with a budget of 1,769,777 euros includes restoration, adaptation, and relocation of the tower, and its subsequent reconstruction in its new location. It includes recreating the original surroundings of the tower in the new plot, as well as placing signage identifying the BIC, its history, and its characteristics.

The work has not been easy. The operations began in August with the prior conditioning of both the original and destination plots, as well as preparing the tower for dismantling. The awarded company, Estudio Métodos de la Restauración SL, created a digital model of the building through photogrammetry. Drones captured hundreds of images to create a comprehensive 3D plan of the tower from all perspectives.

Subsequently, cleaning, debris removal, and recovery of the original or relevant elements of the original tower were carried out, some of which had been lost or covered in successive additions.

In December, the tasks of dismantling the tower, stone by stone, began under architectural and archaeological supervision. The ashlars have been transferred on numbered pallets to the new plot, where they are currently stored. Now, the next phase begins: manual cleaning and reconstruction of the tower, which will include original elements that had been lost, such as the spiral staircase.

It has not been an easy task. The complexity of the work and bad weather have forced a delay in these delicate tasks for a few weeks. But it is almost done. Now, a second, no less challenging part begins, which is to restore the splendour of the Torre Placia four centuries later.

The project is more ambitious, as it will not only restore it in a more open space but will also include an area for schoolchildren to learn about the history of the Torres de la Huerta. This area will be compatible with the Interpretation Centre that the Alicante City Council and the Provincial Council will inaugurate next year at the Torre Sarrió, at the end of Miriam Blasco Avenue, another construction that has been restored.