Jimena castle work is stopped - why?

JIMENA Work on the restoration of the castle stopped well over a month ago. We are trying to find out why, since all the barricades are still up (if somewhat the worse for wear) and the tourist season starts in just a couple of weeks, at Easter. Access is possible via a pathway up the side of the hill, but that doesn't apply to parking a car up there. With a budget of €1.017.241,38, as it says on the sign, it would seem there is plenty of money to finish work that is very necessary to the village's only tourist attraction. There is a rumour that some new archaeological wonder was unearthed, which might have put a temporary stop to things, but recent heavy rain has apparently done some damage in the area. Councillor for Culture, Pedro Corbacho was unavailable for comment, but we will try to locate him.

Jimena castle closed off to visitors

JIMENA Further to our question about whether restoration work was about to begin, we found that the castle in Jimena has been closed off to visitors, presumably in preparation for that work. To quote friend and renown archaeologist Hamo Sassoon, in his epilogue to a book published at least fifteen years ago: "I cannot end this report without commenting that the priority in the Castle is not excavation, but rather the urgent and professional repair of the many places where the fabric of the structure is in immediate danger of collapse." (Oba Romana. Roman Jimena. Editorial Regueira.) The fact is that several places have collapsed since then, though fortunately not enough to cause major damage. It is worth noting the word 'professional'. Another point: a report by Councillor for the Treasury Pedro Corbacho, said that of the €750,000 grant the Council received last year for restoring the castle, €250,000 have yet to be found. Is this new restoration work the same project and has the missing money been found? Or are we yet again to see important work stopped half way when the money runs out?

Is restoration work starting on the castle?

JIMENA This photo by El Niño de las Torres on TioJimeno's El Rincón de Contreras section announces that work is afoot on the castle, which needs it badly and urgently. Whether picks and labourers are imminent up there is another matter. According to El Niño, there are also barriers and even a guard's hut as well. You never know. As Manolo says, "The castle is very old. It'd be cheaper to knock it down and build a new one." (As quoted on TJ)

Jimena Mayor signs agreement for castle renovation

The Mayor of Jimena, Pascual Collado, is this morning in Madrid, where he is signing the agreement with the Ministry of Development regarding a substantial grant for restoring the village's castle (first reported here). After several phases of archaeological digs and other activities, it was agreed that the whole castle area is in need of care and attention that will eventually lead to sealing it off against roaming animals, as well as its use as an historical attraction with guided tours. One of the principal results of the €762,931 investment on the part of the ministry will be>t

Jimena Mayor visits Madrid to request money for castle renovation

JIMENA
Mayor Pascual Collado visited the Director of Restorations of the Ministry of Development, José María Verdú, in Madrid last week. The meeting was to request an investment of just under €1million to restore Jimena's castle under the '1% Cultural Plan', whereby that percentage is reserved for heritage restoration out of the Public Works budget. Renovation would result  in the opening to the public the main tower (Torre de Homenaje) and a guided tour of the walls to identify the various periods of work carried out on them, among other things that, says the Mayor, would be very important to the municipality and would "revitalise tourism and the local economy." A decision as to the inclusion of Jimena in the plan is likely to come down in July.

Castellar castle lights up

CASTELLAR - (Press release) Municipal workers were trying out the new illumination for the medieval castle at Castellar last night. Financed by the Sports and Tourism Department of the Junta, and by Castellar Council, the new lighting complements the existing one and will make the castle stand out at night from a greater distance. After trials are completed, it is expected that they will be a permanent feature within a few days.