THE WALL
The wall is a defensive ensemble surrounding the old town of Cádiz, the historic area of the city. It have been built in different stages since the eighteenth century. Currently the wall is made up of masonry walls that together with bastions and castles shape a whole fortification built to defend the city and the bay. Altogether, this powerful wall is an emblem of the city and it is very important culturally speaking for Cádiz.
The wall characterizes the historical, geographical, cultural and architectural features of the city and its evolution since the sixteenth century. It should be pointed out that all the changes have happend under the influence of the surroundings, as well as the importance of the social, economic and cultural transformations occured along the years.
CONSERVATION
The wall of Cadiz is well kept comparing to its initial configuration. The wall has underwent several changes along the years, the main ones were the almost complete demolition of the wall of the port site in 1902, in addition to the partial demolition of the wall of Puerta de Tierra and San Roque’s bastion in 1906.
The remained stretches of the wall are rather damaged due to their age and the level of these damages depends on its exposure to the continuous action of the sea. All sections have been restored extensively in different stages.
SPECIFIC STUDIES AND RESTORATION PROJECT
The main purpose of the project was to put forward different repairs to preserve the upper zone of the masonry walls, determining its parameters and correcting those singularities detected in the structure that could suppose a security risk for the wall; as well as improving the durable performance and the functionality of all remained elements of the wall.
The survey of the variables involved in the conservation of the wall is carried out through specific studies that have been grouped by the following subjects: the effect of the wind, sunshine, petrophysical, geotechnical performance, structures characterization and the heritage value.
