The Mayoress of Calp, Ana Sala, together with the Councillor for Culture, Guillermo Sendra, and the Councillor for Tourism Planning, Mireia Ripoll, visited Bays de la Reina this morning after the completion of the adaptation works that have been carried out in recent months and which involve the implementation of the museumisation of the site. In fact, these works will allow this enclave, one of the most important archaeological sites in its category in Roman Hispania, to be opened to the public on a regular basis.
The works carried out represent the initial actions foreseen in phase A of the Master Plan for this archaeological area, drawn up by the Diputación de Alicante, which has financed the works with 439,388.69 euros.
The company awarded the contract for the works, the joint venture formed by Alebus Patrimonio Histórico and Signia Soluciones Técnicas, has installed wooden walkways that set two itineraries that will allow visitors to see the main archaeological sites: on the one hand, the Domus rotunda with its baths and circular mosaic (4th century) and on the other, the hydraulic complex with the waterwheel and a series of villas (2nd century A.D.).
In addition, remains of the site have been re-excavated and consolidated, which for the first time will be included in public visits and which are thought to correspond to a possible industrial structure due to their rustic construction and their proximity to the waterwheel and hydraulic complex.
In addition, safety measures have been implemented at the site, such as the installation of a horizontal sliding roof over the area of descent to the hydraulic complex, which until now was unprotected, and a wooden structure with nets covering the turning area of the waterwheel to prevent possible falls. The damaged walls and structures have also been consolidated and gravel of different shades has been laid to allow visual identification of the areas intervened, which will facilitate their interpretation.
The works have also consisted of the installation of a new fence on Avenida de Europa, with an access more in keeping with an enclave such as Banys de la Reina, and the repair and replacement of the existing damaged fence on the rest of the boundaries and on the façade to the Paseo Marítimo.
This first phase has also included the creation of an archaeology and restoration work area with prefabricated modules that has an office, storeroom and bathroom.
In addition, updated graphic documentation has been produced with the use of new technologies linked to archaeological documentation.
‘These works will allow, for the first time, that Banys de la Reina can be open to the public, as it should be, with all the protection measures, a first step to put in value as it deserves this treasure that we have in Calp’, said the councillor of Culture, Guillermo Sendra.
‘We plan to inaugurate soon this site for which we want to have the presence of the Conselleria de Cultura and the Diputación de Alicante. Banys de la Reina is, without doubt, a tourist attraction of international value, and deserves to be known and admired by all,’ said the mayoress Ana Sala.