Restoration of Almudin

Valencia, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana.
Special mention / Diploma in the category Conservation / Conservation and adaptive reuse in the year 1996.

Dating of the building: 13th - 19th century.

Applicant: Valencia City Hall.

Reason for the award :

For the high quality of the rehabilitation.

  • © Beatriz Barrio (www.beatrizbarrio.com)
  • © Beatriz Barrio (www.beatrizbarrio.com)
  • © Beatriz Barrio (www.beatrizbarrio.com)
  • © Beatriz Barrio (www.beatrizbarrio.com)
  • © Beatriz Barrio (www.beatrizbarrio.com)

The City Hall opted for the meticulous restoration of Valencia´s Almudin, a building of utmost importance in the medieval city, maintaining its ancient Gothic profile.

The Almudin in Valencia, one of the main buildings in the medieval city, was for many years one of the least known. Almudin is the Arabic name for alhóndiga, a public house for the sale and purchase of grain. The Almudin in Valencia has been referenced since 1261 and was built during the Muslim domination of the city. After the conquest by James I the Conqueror, the building underwent extensions over the centuries, but always retaining its original use until the end of the 19th century. The control of the alhóndigas by the city government was essential to avoid riots in times of increased prices of wheat, shortages, or famine.

The Almudin in Valencia, with a single nave with a trapezoidal plan open to a courtyard, was crenelated and had a clear defensive purpose. The restoration works have revealed a stone portico, closed for centuries, which gives access to the Plaza de San Luis Beltrán and traditional paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Also recovered were the battlements, many of which were partitioned, and the original pavement, prior to the 16th century. Finally, an original new factory roof has been built endeavouring to keep the Gothic profile of the building.

Others awards in Comunidad Valenciana: