A Proposal for the Restoration of the Islamic Towers in the Segura de la Sierra Valley. Significance and Values of this Cultural Landscape

Abstract

Due to the strategic position of Segura de la Sierra valley (Jaén, Spain) during the 12th and 13th centuries, there were built several defensive fortresses both by Muslims and Christians. As a result, there are still remains of a well-preserved medieval tower system using rammed-earth technology, with more than sixteen towers, often with a fortified enclosure, that represents a magnificent heritage. An exhaustive analysis has been carried out in order to do a scientific restoration of some of them. The research methodology has considered different phases in the stages that should be followed in the guardianship of a historical cultural asset: documenta-tion/investigation, conservation/restoration and dissemination, with the development of a patent. The historical significance and cultural references of these towers with their territory, and the interest of the discoveries obtained due to the research made and the restoration project of some of them, are the principal contributions of this paper.