New look for Nijar landmark

THE Atalaya, the tower that has stood watch over Nijar since the 13th century, has been extensively restored.

The €200,000 project that began before the summer is entering its final stages and the round tower must look the way the original builders intended – minus 21st century lighting and interior flooring. There is also a newly-paved path from Calle San Anton with several rest areas and handrails that will make the walk up to the tower less challenging for today’s visitors than it would have been eight centuries ago.

Although the Atalaya is believed to have been built in the 13th century, it appears to have been restored during the middle part of the 14th century. Before work started the tower was so deteriorated that its survival was in doubt but the foundations have been strengthened to prevent more fissures appearing in the tower’s stonework and existing cracks were sealed.

Only traditional building materials and traditional methods were used to ensure that the Atalaya’s original appearance was not modified.