Bulbuente Castle restoration project

The restoration process has been of enormous complexity and dedication, it is difficult to understand the seriousness of the state of the building if it was not known in situ at the time of the beginning and during all these years, where day after day and day also appeared constructive problems that urged quick and effective solutions for a building with so many years as structural damage resulting from the passage of centuries, the lack of maintenance, the partition into different properties and a long etcetera.

But all was not lost that day, now distant, when the keys to this castle-palace were received. There was still hope, we were not alone. A magnificent team of local professionals (masons, blacksmiths, electricians, carpenters and plumbers), experienced and brimming with dedication. An accurate site management, with the help of experts in history, art, heritage, restoration and archeology.

The first area of intervention was the tower, in a state of imminent collapse. Instead of the current terrace, there was a one-water roof that no longer served its purpose and the upper floor was a dovecote where the stones were already loose, due to the action of water and pigeons, and threatened to fall into the square from a height of 20 meters.

Once consolidated, cleaned and grouted, the hardest part was done. Then began the long works in the palace area, first focused on changing all the roofs of the building. This was followed by archaeological work, which brought to light enormous discoveries and vertical archaeological work with equally magnificent results.

Arc discovery process

1) Original state of the wall

2) Revealing the arch

3) Revealing the arch after removing the wall

Work continued on all the facades and galleries, master walls and foundations carried out by master builders Timoteo, his apprentice Javier and the invaluable help of Ángel and Carlos.

Then there was a break to intervene in the adjoining house, which was acquired in 2016. Built on a site that was part of the castle-palace but was demolished around 1920 to build the current house that has been reintegrated into the castle-palace. The following two years were spent cleaning, reconfiguring the rooms, recovering the original spaces and then refurbishing the house with new electricity, water and heating installations.

In 2020, work began on the furniture, flooring, carpentry, painting and current finishes. And during the first half of 2021 all the works were completed, the decoration and the first phase of landscaping began.