Masonry Walls Restoration and Urban Regeneration in the Clock Tower of Monóvar (Alicante, Spain)

The paper presents the historical restoration and musealization of Monóvar’s clock tower. This isolated 18th-century tower was initially built to house the public clock, marking one of the earliest known examples in the Comunitat Valenciana of a secular timekeeping structure. Unlike most towers of the time, which were part of religious buildings, this project was driven by the local civil government to assert municipal control over timekeeping. The tower was constructed using a mix of stone masonry techniques, with varying material qualities, including well-cut ashlar, irregular stonework, and poor-quality rubble masonry. Stress tests revealed low tensile strength values, and due to construction deficiencies, the upper section developed a slight tilt, which has remained stable since its original construction. Over the years, several interventions were carried out the most intensive intervention occurred between the 1960s and 1970s, involving widespread use of cement, modifications to the façades, and the replacement of original materials with prefabricated elements, also masonry walls were added to visually correct the tilt. Following the recent demolition of a nearby building, which led to a landslide, concerns emerged about the tower’s foundation and overall stability. However, analysis confirmed that the tilt has remained stable since its construction. Due to the masonry’s poor quality, reinforcement was necessary and was implemented using lime injections. The landslide also exposed a previously undocumented Muslim cemetery, where thirteen burials were discovered and carefully excavated, adding an important layer to Monóvar’s historical narrative. This archaeological site has been integrated into the urban project through a musealization, which includes a new walkway that encircles the tower, the cemetery, and two viewing platforms. These interventions enhance the site's cultural and historical significance by giving visitors a deeper understanding of Monóvar’s past, from its medieval Islamic period to its 18th-century civic developments. This project preserves and reinterprets the architectural heritage, fostering a stronger connection between the historic fabric and the contemporary urban landscape.