Negro Tower: Documentation, Conservation, and Restoration

Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci.

Jiménez-González

et al. 2020

Self Cite

Abstract. The former Church of St. Mary, known as the Old Cathedral, in Cartagena (Region of Murcia, Spain), is a construction from the beginning of the 13th century, but it was transformed in the 16th century and rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century. The bombings occurring during the Spanish Civil War caused the partial collapse of the building and the state of ruin that it currently presents. It is protected as a PCI with the category of monument. A Master Plan is currently being developed that should lead to the recovery of the building. The "Thermal Analysis and Geomatics (TAG)" Research Group of the Polytechnic University of Cartagena has collaborated in the drafting of the Master Plan with a planimetric survey and graphic analysis of the entire building. For this purpose, digital terrestrial photogrammetry techniques and a 3D laser scanner compatible with classical topography have been used, in order to obtain an accurate three-dimensional model. All this graphic information has been contrasted with the historical, typological, material and constructive information currently available about the building, which has facilitated the making of an exhaustive three-dimensional analysis that permits us to know this ancient Cathedral in depth. This paper will describe the work methodology followed, the technical means used and the results achieved, which have been incorporated into the Master Plan that is being prepared. Undoubtedly, the digital analysis has helped to obtain a better general understanding of the building and to be able to propose a correct formal, structural and material recomposition.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Analysis With 3d Scanning and Three-Dimensional Modelling of the Main Church of St. Mary – The Old Cathedral, Cartagena (Region of Murcia, Spain)

Collado-Espejo

Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci.

Jiménez-González

et al. 2020

Self Cite

“…This tower was part of the defensive system of watchtowers and defense towers devised by Giovanni Batista * Corresponding author Antonelli and Vespasiano Gonzaga to organise the defense of the entire coast of Murcia. Located in a rural environment and very close to the Mar Menor, it is a fortress tower with visual connection to several coastal towers (García-León et al, 2019). The visibility between towers was crucial because it enabled the establishment of a warning system between them.…”

Section: Study Subjectmentioning

confidence: 99%

3d Modelling of the Negro Tower for Its Comprehensive Analysis and a Conservation Proposal

Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci.

Espejo

Fantini

et al. 2020

Self Cite

Abstract. The Negro Tower, in El Algar, Cartagena (Region of Murcia, Spain), is a building which dates to 1585. It is a tower built in a rural environment, inland from the coast, to alert and protect the population from pirate attacks. It was part of the network of watchtowers and defense posts along the coast of Murcia built between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The tower is protected as a historical monument, but its state of conservation is very poor. For this reason, a comprehensive study has been carried out to ensure its correct restoration and future conservation. Historical and constructive analysis has allowed us to discover the social, cultural and architectural characteristics of the tower. Digital photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning compatible with classic topography have been used for the graphic survey of the tower. All this information has permitted the elaboration of thorough three-dimensional modelling and the proposal of a volumetric recomposition of the tower. The presentation will set out the working methodology followed as well as the important results achieved. This research work aims to contribute to the recognition and correct conservation of the Tower. The graphic survey and the three-dimensional model obtained will allow the recovery of the tower and its integration into the natural environment.

“…Se ha comprobado una de las características fundamentales de estas torres vigía y de defensa de la costa: el contacto visual entre ellas. En este caso, no sólo entre la Torre del Negro y las torres costeras del Mar Menor (Torre de la Encañizada, Torre del Estacio y Torre de San Antonio), sino también con las otras torres-fortaleza rurales del entorno (Torre del Rame, Torre de Aredo y Torre Blanca) (García-León, et al, 2019). Este hecho era fundamental para el buen funcionamiento del sistema de vigilancia, alerta y defensa que se había construido en aquella época.…”

Section: Conclusionesunclassified

“…El éxito o fracaso de las incursiones de piratas dependía, en gran medida, de la rapidez en el aviso entre las diferentes torres (costeras y de interior). Por tanto, para la ubicación de estas torres se tuvo muy en cuenta que estuvieran en contacto visual entre ellas y así coordinar los avisos (García-León, et al, 2019). Además, la red de torres vigía y de defensa del litoral se realizaría en base a tres tipos de construcciones.…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Levantamiento y modelización tridimensional de la Torre del Negro o de Arráez, torre post-litoral del siglo XVI en El Algar (Región de Murcia, España)

Collado-Espejo

Fantini

et al. 2020

Graphic survey and three-dimensional modelling of the Negro Tower or Arráez, post-coastal tower of the sixteenth century in El Algar (Region of Murcia, Spain)Post-coastal towers or rural fortress towers, built in the sixteenth century on the Mediterranean coast, had the mission of protecting the population and enhancing the repopulation of these areas, heavily punished by incursions by berber pirates. The Negro Tower or Arráez Tower, in El Algar-Cartagena (Region of Murcia, Spain), is one of those post-coastal lookout towers and was built in 1585. It is shaped like a truncated pyramid, square plan and a height of about 14,00 m. Originally, it had three floors and a terrace. Despite its degree of protection (it is a monument), its current state of conservation is semi-ruined. It has no cover, the vault of the first floor has collapsed and presents cracks that threaten its stability. Therefore, a research project has been developed that has included, among other aspects, the graphic survey with two complementary techniques: digital photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning. The result is an exhaustive graphic documentation that allows understanding the construction and allows the consolidation and volumetric recomposition of the tower. With this work, it is intended to contribute to the conservation and recovery of the heritage value of the Tower, as well as the integration of the historical monument in its natural and landscape environment.