5th February 2018. The Council of Historic Heritage of the Villajoyosa Local Authority has started the work of cleaning and consolidating the water tank situated in Calle Calvari, specifically on the side of the Amadorio River next to the railway bridge.
The old hydraulic structure used to collect water from the irrigation channel of the Reg de les Puntes, which also used to supply, from the 17th century, the Molino real (royal mill) of La Llobeta further down. For this reason the experts believe that the tank could date from the same period, although this is yet to be confirmed.
The tank is included in the Catálogo de Bienes y Espacios Protegidos of the Special Conservation and Protection Plan of the Historic City of Villajoyosa.
An evaluation of property report, carried out by the Town Planning department together with an ethnological report carried out by the Municipal Archaeology and Ethnographic Service have determined the current state of the tank and detected the need to carry out repairs.
The work will begin immediately with Vilamuseu personnel collaborating with Municipal Technical Services. It will consist of cleaning and consolidating some parts of the tank using materials that can be reversed, for instance, mortar with a light ochre pigmentation so that it can be distinguished from the original; the masonry used will be of similar dimensions and characteristics to the original.
After these works to maintain the structure there will be, in the medium term, a comprehensive restitution project. This project will consist of an archaeological study that will involve lowering the interior level of the tank allowing the detail of the typical construction to be identified and therefore to determine the appropriate elements so that they can be repeated.
The Historic Heritage Councillor, María Ángeles Gualde, said “once this study has been done, we can proceed to eliminate any added elements and start the work of consolidation/restoration necessary thereby adding value to this catalogued ‘Bien’. This tank is protected heritage and a relevant part of the cultural side of Villajoyosa. Therefore, these maintenance works are fundamental to guarantee its protection”.