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Watchtowers on the Eastern Coast of Andalusia. A Territorial Model of Defence
Silhouettes of towers, landmarks of the territory on the profile of the coast, peaceful ruins located in a strategic place that is no longer necessary to defend. They stand as silent witnesses of time and usually in an “evocative ruinous state”.
The eastern coast of Andalusia was systematically protected with watchtowers towers that in many cases are of Nasrid origin, XIII and XIV centuries, or medieval, although between the XVI - XVIII centuries new fortifications were built and some previous constructions were modified. Its name comes from the Muslim term “Al-manara” (illuminates), a Castilian word in the voices of “Almenar” and “Almena-ra”. The Dictionary of the Royal Academy defines this voice as follows: “From the Arabic al-manara, the place of light. Fire that is made in the watchtowers or towers, to act as a warning in case enemy ships or troops were approaching” [1].
The research establishes a classification in reference to its typology, thus establishing four models: truncated cone, square prismatic, truncated pyramid and hoofed. Constructive aspects of these towers are also analyzed. They used to have two floors, the lower one being generally solid, built with horizontal masonry rows, and the second one covered with a brick vault, with an access staircase to the roof.
After its typological classification and analysis of its territorial implantation, conditioned by its visual relationship, various considerations are established regarding its impact on the landscape. Finally, possible actions aimed at the protection and conservation of the heritage and iconographic asset represented by the beacon system are indicated
Watchtowers on the Eastern Coast of Andalusia. A Territorial Model of Defence
Silhouettes of towers, landmarks of the territory on the profile of the coast, peaceful ruins located in a strategic place that is no longer necessary to defend. They stand as silent witnesses of time and usually in an “evocative ruinous state”.
The eastern coast of Andalusia was systematically protected with watchtowers towers that in many cases are of Nasrid origin, XIII and XIV centuries, or medieval, although between the XVI - XVIII centuries new fortifications were built and some previous constructions were modified. Its name comes from the Muslim term “Al-manara” (illuminates), a Castilian word in the voices of “Almenar” and “Almena-ra”. The Dictionary of the Royal Academy defines this voice as follows: “From the Arabic al-manara, the place of light. Fire that is made in the watchtowers or towers, to act as a warning in case enemy ships or troops were approaching” [1].
The research establishes a classification in reference to its typology, thus establishing four models: truncated cone, square prismatic, truncated pyramid and hoofed. Constructive aspects of these towers are also analyzed. They used to have two floors, the lower one being generally solid, built with horizontal masonry rows, and the second one covered with a brick vault, with an access staircase to the roof.
After its typological classification and analysis of its territorial implantation, conditioned by its visual relationship, various considerations are established regarding its impact on the landscape. Finally, possible actions aimed at the protection and conservation of the heritage and iconographic asset represented by the beacon system are indicated
Watchtowers on the Eastern Coast of Andalusia. A Territorial Model of Defence
Springer ser. in des. and Innovation
Agustín-Hernández, Luis (editor) / Vallespín Muniesa, Aurelio (editor) / Fernández-Morales, Angélica (editor) / Delgado Romero, Jose Ramón (author)
Congreso Internacional de Expresión Gráfica Arquitectónica ; 2020 ; Zaragoza, Spain
2020-05-12
12 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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