After the restoration carried out by Santiago Varela Botella and Santiago Varela Rizo of the Polop Castle, numerous original elements have been preserved, such as the foundations of its defensive towers and the hidden canvases of the medieval wall. These interventions have allowed the historical structures to be consolidated and new architectural solutions to be integrated.
The intervention prioritized sustainability by reusing the existing structure. Sections that had completely collapsed were rebuilt using traditional formwork and a lime-based mortar mixed with white cement—a modern additive used to accelerate curing and meet administrative deadlines. In areas featuring modern masonry parapets, demolition was ruled out for ecological reasons; instead, the masonry was preserved, coated with a mortar consistent with the rest of the structure, and inscribed with markings that simulate the original rammed-earth construction.
Polop Castle by Santiago Varela Botella and Santiago Varela Rizo. Photography by Ignacio Segura Martínez.
Project description by Santiago Varela Botella and Santiago Varela Rizo
The Castle and Its Condition
The castle of Polop de la Marina, which is municipally owned, crowns a conical hill at an altitude of approximately 200 meters in the Marina Baja region. Its position commanded the coastline and the valleys of the Guadalest and Algar rivers, and it maintained visual contact with other defensive sites in the area.
Of Muslim origin (dating back to the early 12th century), the castle features a polygonal layout with rammed-earth walls (*tapial*) resting on masonry plinths set directly into the bedrock. Over time, the site suffered severe deterioration—particularly in its northern and western sectors—due to abandonment, the construction of a cemetery at the summit in the mid-19th century, the widening of the access path, the addition of modern fencing, and the growth of pine trees.
Restoration Efforts
Following initial archaeological excavations in 1990, five phases of work have been carried out in accordance with the Master Plan:
Phase One.- Consolidation of the western, northern, and eastern sections of the wall (addressing significant cracks and voids), reinforcement of a buttress, and the removal of inappropriate ceramic cladding, infill materials, and landscaping.
Phase Two.- Reconstruction of a demolished tower—based on the dimensions of the original rammed-earth formwork—along with the consolidation of interior chambers and the installation of a wooden walkway supported by an iron structure.
Phase Three.- Restoration of a second, nearby tower, following the same approach and providing visual continuity to this section of the fortifications.
Phase Four.- Recovery of the southern section of the wall, which had been hidden beneath the access path; ground-penetrating radar (GPR) confirmed its alignment, and a pedestrian path was created while respecting the existing cemetery.
Phase Five.- Work on the northern and western sectors, including the consolidation of the wall and the northeastern bastion, the reconstruction of the cistern’s vaulted ceiling, and the removal of pine trees.
Restoration and Sustainability
A key principle guiding this intervention was the reuse of existing materials. The aim was to ensure the sustainability of the project, through the use of existing structures, primarily in the fifth phase.
In sections where the wall had completely collapsed, it was reconstructed using traditional timber formwork techniques and a composite mortar made of lime and white cement. Although white cement was not a material used during the original construction period, it allowed us to accelerate the curing process and align the construction timeline with administrative deadlines. In other sections, where a modern masonry parapet had been built atop the wall, we considered two options: removing it and reconstructing the wall using the same approach applied to the collapsed sections, or retaining the existing material while conceptually reinterpreting the wall’s original form.
Applying the principle of sustainability, we chose to keep the existing masonry, covering it with a mortar similar to that used on other parts of the wall. To preserve the concept of the wall, we incised marks into the mortar, evoking the form of the rammed-earth (tapial) construction modules found in other sections.
Sustainability in construction is not achieved solely through traditional building techniques; the reuse of existing structures—repurposing them through abstract conceptualization to integrate them coherently into the building—also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint.
