Historic Jumilla Castle set for new archaeological investigation

Funded through European development programmes, the five-month project will focus on both excavation work and long-term conservation of the historic site

Jumilla is getting to work on bringing new life to the history of its great fortress. This week, the local council has launched a tender for archaeological excavation work at the settlement and the castle walls, with a budget of €290,400. The archaeological work will be carried out in six areas of the medieval fortress.

The Castle of Jumilla is one of the best-preserved fortresses in the Region of Murcia. It sits on the site of a former Andalusian hilltop settlement and includes a main keep and an inner walled enclosure about 130 metres in perimeter, with several towers and water cisterns. This is surrounded by a second outer wall that once enclosed the old Islamic settlement.

The fortress has significant historical value and is considered key to understanding the northern frontier of the former Islamic Kingdom of Murcia. The council wants to enhance the castle and its archaeological heritage so it can be better appreciated.

For this reason, the contract also includes drafting a specialist technical plan for the castle's restoration and development as a tourist attraction. They will also prepare a detailed plan for carrying out physical construction and restoration work to stabilise, repair, and improve the parts of the castle that are excavated, as well as the walls, so that they are consistent with and match the main tower (the keep).

The Town Council has approved this project after receiving final funding through the Integrated Action Plans (PAI), which form part of a local development strategy supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The money is for preserving and improving historical heritage sites with cultural and tourism value.

The work is expected to last five months. Companies interested in taking part have until May 26 to submit their bids, which will be reviewed on May 28.

For more local news, events and visiting information please contact the tourist office (telephone 968 780237, email oficinaturismo@jumilla.org) or go to the home page of Jumilla Today.

Images: Jumilla Turismo