Pathologic and Risk Analysis of the Lojuela Castle (Granada-Spain): Methodology and Preventive Conservation for Medieval Earthen Fortifications

Abstract

This study presents a methodology generated for the preventive conservation of defensive earthen architecture, applied to the case of the Lojuela Castle (Lecrin Valley, Granada, Spain). In the application of the designed protocol, a multidisciplinary analysis of its patrimonial characteristics and multidimensional evaluation was developed, applying the technique of qualitative consultation to a group of experts—the Delphi method. This methodology allowed us to relate the hazard factors and the vulnerability of the asset for each group of risks that affect it. The support of the method in with geographic information systems (GIS) has favored the production of predictive cartography and risk analysis—including the territorial dimensions and spatial interactions of the asset with the physical environment. This has facilitated the obtention of micro-zoning maps of each of the risks examined. The risk mapping in micro-zoning and the knowledge of the structure’s vulnerability represents an important contribution to the future conservation and management of this heritage. They favor strategies that minimize the incidence of risks and allow the prioritization of the conservation actions with a minimum economic investment, creating an efficient maintenance program. This will facilitate the protection, conservation and valorization decisions by the administration and the competent bodies involved in the protection of these sites.

Combining Multiband Imaging, Photogrammetric Techniques, and FOSS GIS for Affordable Degradation Mapping of Stone Monuments

“…The analysis of the spatial association between different patterns and geomaterials leads to observations regarding the interactions that occur on the historical surfaces [24,25]. The mapping implementation provides significant insight into ongoing weathering processes, especially after supplemented with information from analytical techniques and environ-mental measurements [26][27][28][29][30]. Manual photo-based mapping is a technique widely used in architectural conservation.…”

Learning-based classification of multispectral images for deterioration mapping of historic structures

“…The additional spatial annotation of lithotypes facilitates the association between materials and alteration [1, [11][12][13][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Mapping supports the interpretation of weathering phenomena when combined with data from non-destructive testing (NDT) [8, 9, 17-20, 22, 24, 25], laboratory mineralogical, chemical and physical characterization [15,18,19,23,26], and environmental measurements [8,12,18,19,25,27].…”

“…Mapping is typically a photo-based approach where a color image, an orthorectified image, or an orthoimage-mosaic is used as a base-map for designing the geometrical shape of surface patterns [27]. The metric (accuracy, scale-dependent spatial resolution) and chromatic quality of this background are essential for identifying deterioration [25,28,29].…”

Past and present Geomorphological hazard and cultural heritage loss in El Castellar castle scarp (central Ebro Basin, Spain)

“…After fulfilling their military functions, many Medieval castles were not adapted to new roles, and were, therefore, gradually degraded by different natural or anthropic erosive processes (Gutiérrez-Carrillo et al, 2020). The conservation of these patrimonial remains in rural areas must be supported by good arguments about their value and significance, and sometimes they can bring economic opportunities to local communities (Grimwade and Carter, 2000).…”