El Castillo de Guardamar???
-Leslie Gonzalez
Usually, when you think of a castle, you imagine it as an extraordinary palace where royalty lived and ruled. However, El Castillo de Guardamar is a place that overlooks the city of Guardamar, but only that, it is an urban space that now is not used or visited by the people of the city. Despite its archaeological reconstruction and preservation that is currently happening, there isn't much emphasize to this landmark.
The number of important landmarks in Guardamar del Segura is impressive. From the Castle to the archaeological ruins, the history of Guardamar lies in many cultures through the progression of time. However, the people of Guardamar don't seem to acknowledge the richness of history that the city contains. If the castle were implemented in more of the events and festivals, the people of the city and visitors would be more aware of what this site holds. It is as if it's past is gone and no ritual or tradition that was once held at the castle can be replicated as part of a tradition at Guardamar. The view from the castle is looking down on a city that has forgotten where it came from [to a certain extent]. With simple actions, such as the citizens of Guardamar going up to the castle more often or exposure and reference to the castle around the city, this site would become popularized and its history would relieve once again.
I do realize that the people of Guardamar have most likely been to the castle at least once in their lives, and this is the reason they don't return, especially because there really isn't much to do there, but when you have something available at the tips of your fingers for so long, one tends to take it for granted and forget it is even there so it makes sense that appreciation for what is there is also now lost. An intervention, just as the one we came up for the archaeological ruins, would benefit not only the castle but also the city and its people as a whole because then any castle traditions that have died could come back to life. An intervention such as a gathering space near the castle or right outside its perimeter could help, just as long as people are physically close to this rich site.
....so is this what defines a place to be a castle or what does???
-Leslie Gonzalez
Usually, when you think of a castle, you imagine it as an extraordinary palace where royalty lived and ruled. However, El Castillo de Guardamar is a place that overlooks the city of Guardamar, but only that, it is an urban space that now is not used or visited by the people of the city. Despite its archaeological reconstruction and preservation that is currently happening, there isn't much emphasize to this landmark.
The number of important landmarks in Guardamar del Segura is impressive. From the Castle to the archaeological ruins, the history of Guardamar lies in many cultures through the progression of time. However, the people of Guardamar don't seem to acknowledge the richness of history that the city contains. If the castle were implemented in more of the events and festivals, the people of the city and visitors would be more aware of what this site holds. It is as if it's past is gone and no ritual or tradition that was once held at the castle can be replicated as part of a tradition at Guardamar. The view from the castle is looking down on a city that has forgotten where it came from [to a certain extent]. With simple actions, such as the citizens of Guardamar going up to the castle more often or exposure and reference to the castle around the city, this site would become popularized and its history would relieve once again.
I do realize that the people of Guardamar have most likely been to the castle at least once in their lives, and this is the reason they don't return, especially because there really isn't much to do there, but when you have something available at the tips of your fingers for so long, one tends to take it for granted and forget it is even there so it makes sense that appreciation for what is there is also now lost. An intervention, just as the one we came up for the archaeological ruins, would benefit not only the castle but also the city and its people as a whole because then any castle traditions that have died could come back to life. An intervention such as a gathering space near the castle or right outside its perimeter could help, just as long as people are physically close to this rich site.
....so is this what defines a place to be a castle or what does???
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