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Lighting reinstalled at Alfonsina Tower at the castle of Lorca
The Lorca castle has been in total darkness for more than a year
The Torre Alfonsina at the emblematic castle of Lorca has remained in the dark since August of last year when vandals ripped out the wiring, but the imposing keep has now been illuminated again. New lighting has been installed on both sides so that the historic tower can again be seen from all over the city.
Aluminium fittings have replaced the old copper wiring system, which is far less valuable and so unlikely to be stolen again.
"When we came to power we announced that we would recover the ornamental lighting of the Castle, our emblem, the profile of the 'old city', and we have done so," said mayor Fulgencio Gil Jódar, who supervised the lighting work from the Mirador del Castillo, on the ring road to the citadel.
The medieval tower was built in the 12th century by order of King Alfonso X in celebration of his defeat of the Moors.
With an investment of 15,000 euros the council has also lit up the central part of the castle, but the administration has big plans to illuminate the entire structure in the near future.
Financed with half a million euros from the Next Generation Funds, the castle will have all natural lighting of 3100 degrees Kelvin. Earlier suggestions that the lights should change colour were rejected for being too garish.
The Torre Alfonsina was built according to the unevenness of the terrain, so that its northern face stretches to 29 metres in height while the southern wall is just 24 metres. It was originally designed as a free-standing defensive building, and it could be completely shut off from the rest of the castle if under attack.
The side that looks towards the 'old city' was decorated with small tiles depicting castles and lions, elements that make up the coat of arms of the Castilian monarchy.
On November 23, Saint’s Clement’s Day, locals and tourists will climb to the top of the citadel to recreate the taking of the castle in honour of Lorca’s patron saint.
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca
