Baroque façade of Caravaca Town Hall building restored after decades hidden behind cement
The building’s 18th-century façade had been covered up for years, but has now been revealed in all its splendour
The rear façade of Caravaca de la Cruz’s Town Hall has been restored to its original 18th-century Baroque style, after being hidden for years beneath cement mortar. The renovation has once more revealed the intricate brickwork, lime mortar and baroque-style grouting, along with original balconies and windows that had been covered up.
The Town Hall building dates back to 1737, with construction beginning in 1739. Its iconic arch and adjoining buildings served various functions over time, including as a prison, grain store and troop barracks. In the 18th century, the area around the Town Hall formed the main entrance to the town via the road from Calasparra.
Accessible from Calle Puentecilla and Calle Ingeniero Oñate, the restored façade is now a fresh point of interest for locals and visitors alike. The restoration also included the arch beneath the building, ironwork, carpentry and stone entrances.
Town Mayor José Francisco García presented the completed works, highlighting the project as part of wider efforts to preserve Caravaca’s heritage. Other recent projects include improvements around the castle area, upgraded lighting for the historic complex, a green area in the old Europán orchards and the new Plaza de los Armaos.
The project was led by municipal architect José Manuel Alcázar, who explained that once the cement layer was removed, the original baroque design was carefully studied and restored. The work cost €50,000, funded by European LEADER funds and the Region of Murcia, with a municipal contribution of over €14,000.
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Image: Ayuntamiento de Caravaca de la Cruz
