Urgent action needed to save Monteagudo Castle in Murcia from collapse
The 11th-century castle is one of the most iconic and recognisable monuments in Murcia
The Association for the Conservation of the Heritage of the Huerta de Murcia (Huermur) has sounded the alarm over the “extremely worrying” state of the Monteagudo Castle in Murcia, a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) built in the 11th century.
The castle is home to the most instantly recognisable monument in the Region of Murcia - the 14-metre-high statue of Christ which towers over the “huerta” farmland from its plinth.
The conservation organisation has formally requested the Ministry of Culture and the Government of Spain allocate 3.17 million euros in the 2025 General State Budget for the urgent restoration of the monument.Recent drone images have revealed the advanced state of deterioration of the castle, with serious cracks and fractures in the structures, posing a significant risk of collapse.
Despite the completion of the first phase of restoration works more than a year ago, the interventions have not continued, jeopardising the progress made and increasing the risk of irreversible damage.
The president of Huermur, Sergio Pacheco, said: “In view of the inaction of the Murcia City Council and the Ministry of Culture, we have asked the Government of Spain to guarantee the necessary funding to definitively complete the restoration works on Monteagudo Castle. The interventions have not been resumed for more than a year, something that is extremely worrying for the preservation of this important monument.”
Huermur points out that the Master Plan for Monteagudo Castle, approved years ago, reflects the “unstable and potentially dangerous” state of the fortress. And despite the previous works, the most critical jobs are still outstanding, including the restoration of the central tower, the interior vaults, the improvement of accessibility and the overall stabilisation of the ground.
“The full implementation of the plan is crucial to avoid the collapse of the castle and preserve its historical and cultural value. It is essential that the project progresses without interruptions so that Monteagudo Castle recovers its splendour and becomes a tourist reference point for the Region of Murcia and for Spain," stresses Huermur.
Images: Huermur
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