Restoration of the Bofilla Tower

Bétera, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana.
Special mention / Diploma in the category Conservation / Conservation and adaptive reuse in the year 2013.

Dating of the building: 13th century.

Applicant: Roberto Valle González.

Reason for the award :

For the preliminary studies and research, archaeological excavations and enhancement of the Bofilla tower, one of the oldest buildings that remain standing in the Valencian Community, as well as the archaeological remains located in its surroundings.

  • © Fernando Vegas López-Manzanares y Camilla Mileto
  • © Fernando Vegas López-Manzanares y Camilla Mileto
  • © Fernando Vegas López-Manzanares y Camilla Mileto
  • © Fernando Vegas López-Manzanares y Camilla Mileto
  • © Fernando Vegas López-Manzanares y Camilla Mileto

The Bofilla tower is located in an environment practically unaltered since the 15th century, a truly unique feature that accentuates the value of its restoration.

The complex formed by the Bofilla tower and the archaeological site is located on the outskirts of the Valencian town of Betera. It is a watchtower erected at the beginning of the 13th century, during the Reconquest. It is part of the set of defensive towers around Valencia, all of them on promontories next to the main road network. According to archaeological research, both the tower and the villa remained in use until the 15th century, and the surrounding landscape has remained practically unaltered until today, rare features that give the complex an exceptional singularity. The tower is built in a wall with a truncated pyramidal shape; 6.15 metres wide at the base, to 5.20 metres at the top. Its total height is approximately 18 metres, divided into 21 walled modules. The interior was divided into three stories with wooden floors and a guard passway, connected by ladders, none of which have survived to this day.

The restoration project has tried to recover the original splendour of the complex, not only from a point of view of stopping its deterioration but also its aspect. Thus, the work has consisted of a preliminary study, investigation, archaeological campaign, restoration, and enhancement of the complex. All this has allowed us to know more in-depth the history and methods of the construction initially used. The walls have been cleaned by manual brushing, recovering, where possible, the traces of the original decorative bands of the façades. The gaps have been filled with materials similar and compatible with the original, treating the fillings so that they were identifiable but integrated into the whole. The large crack in the access façade has been filled in and attached to the original masonry to ensure the tower´s stability. New wooden floors  with a contemporary design have been introduced in place of the original ones; they also contribute to the stability of the construction and make it open to visitors.

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