CHARACTERISATION OF MORTARS FROM THE FARILLO TOWER (CALAHONDA – CARCHUNA, GRANADA)

The Farillo de Calahonda watchtower forms part of the historic surveillance and defence system along the Granada coastline. The main purpose of these towers was to monitor the territory and provide protection against maritime incursions, making them a key element in the coastal defence system.

Over the years, the tower has undergone various phases of construction, use and maintenance, which have left their mark on the materials used, particularly the mortars.

The work carried out has focused on the study of these historic mortars, with the aim of understanding their composition, the process used to make them, and how they have evolved over time. This study has provided a better understanding of the various construction phases of the building, offering essential information for its proper conservation, as well as for planning interventions that respect its authenticity.

This study has highlighted various aspects such as

• The widespread use of lime mortars at all stages of construction.
• A careful selection of local materials and a consistent finish.
• The consistency of the most recent interventions, albeit with differences in construction quality and implementation methods.
• The changes observed in construction processes and maintenance work over time.
• The need to continue using traditional techniques, adapted to the requirements of the tower.