Antonio Raso: In the historical center of the municipality of Palma del Río, in the province of Córdoba, is the fortification that the Muslim dynasty of the Almohads reinforced in the 12th century as defence against Christian attacks. Declared an Andalusian heritage site in 1985, the complex consists of the citadel and the wall. The former preserves only remains of its ground plans and the bases of five turrets, the largest of which contains the Chapel of Anguishes, while the wall is practically intact, despite being invaded by the city’s development. The intervention of the architects Antonio Raso, César Egea, Luis Gala, and Pedro Dugo creates a route, defined by the Almohade wall, that decongests the urban scheme and, besides enhancing the historical heritage, connects the Chapel of the Anguishes to the Parish of the Assumption. The operation also improves accesses, embellishes urban elements (pavements and core-ten steel lattices), and restores the chapel interior, turned into a new mirador for the city.

Architects: Antonio Raso, César Egea, Luis Gala y Pedro Dugo
Location: 14700 Palma del Río, Córdoba, Spain
Year: 2015
Photographs: Javier Orive
Restoration: Virginia Cabrera y Lourdes López
Developers: Ayuntamiento de Palma del Río (Córdoba), FEDER