A plaza fresh from the oven

ALGECIRAS (Agencies) While the main square in La Línea is wondering where its antique ceramic tiles went, the tiles on the main square in Algeciras, Plaza Alta, are being restored by the same family business that made the originals. Cerámica Campos, of Sevilla, is the company, whose founder, Antonio Martín, designed the tiles that were put up in 1930. José Martín carried out the last restoration over twenty years ago, and it is now Esteban Martín who travels regularly to Algeciras to supervise the most recent restoration. The Martín surname is not coiuncidence: they are grandfather, father and son. The present work is being carried out by Construcciones Galindo thanks to a Plan Proteja employmentr scheme grant. In turn, Galindo subcontracted the tiling to Cerámica Campos, a second surname that belonged to the original Antonio, now lost but remaining as the highly respected business name. In fact, Antonio was the chief designer for Cerámicas González, from which he left to form his own business in 1939.>It was he who designed the entire Plaza Alta, so Esteban, the present head of the business, has had no trouble with the tile designs. "We had alot of information," he says. "We had the colour formulas and the original drawings, which were complemented by photos, measurements, etc. The trouble is that the techniques and chemical products have changed over the years. For instance, we're no longer allowed to use wood ovens because of pollution, and there are tones and textures that vary, so the results are not going to be exactly the same.

Time and vandalism have had their effect on almost all the tiled surfaces of the square. One of the most memorable items that have gradually disappeared or been broken are the frogs that adorned the fountain. Another are the shells, also from the fountain; or the tiles illustrating Don Quijote, and many more, including moulded brickwork, some difficult flat blue tiles, etc. These elements were ordered from Cerámicas Campos, a clay and fire family tradition that is part of the history of Algeciras.