For just over six months work has been done on the restoration of the roof of the St. Bartholomew Church of Xàbia. Some works that, if they continue their rhythm, will be completed in the month of December and that have consisted in the repair of cracks, elimination of humidity and restoration of the bell tower.
With this project, the rose window of the chevet, from the XNUMXth century or earlier, and the spiral staircase of the bell tower, which leads up to the roofs of the temple and the perimeter defensive walkway, which was in very poor condition, have been restored. with the idea, in the future "When the master plan is carried out, which has not yet been approved by the Ministry of Culture, the entire complex will be open to visitors, including the roofs and some underground spaces", has highlighted the person in charge of the restoration of the temple.
Recovery of the battlements and stands
With these works, the tribunes located on the side chapels have also been recovered, "Where the population took refuge when it was attacked by Barbary corsairs, as well as some battlements that crowned the temple from the XNUMXth century, since it also served as a fortress, and which were eliminated in the XNUMXth century", as explained by the architect director of the restoration project, Salvador Vila, in a publication on the website of the Archdiocese of Valencia.
Vila points out that these are spaces above the side chapels, three on each side of the central nave, which are accessed from the roof, "in which we have cleaned the vegetation and dirt, repaired cracks and recovered the windows".
Moreover, “The church incorporated battlements around its perimeter in the XNUMXth century, since it was also a fortress, but a century later they were eliminated. Now two sets of battlements near the tower have been rebuilt so that one can understand how the original ones were, with their holes and knobs, which is the piece that stands out ".
Also, at the top of the bell tower "There was the start of a battlement in one corner and all the traces of the start of the rest, that is why we wanted to recover them", indicates Salvador Vila.
Likewise, in these restoration works, the cracks in the perimeter walls have been repaired to stabilize them and the entire covering of the roof has been made new because it was badly damaged. In addition, the cracks in the ashlar vaults have been repaired, which even reached the cladding of the roof, where the technique of 'trespol' (fill gaps with ceramic and mortar). In fact, Wonderful pieces have been found, such as 80-centimeter vessels from the XNUMXth century with engravings of naos, which are now exhibited in the Jávea Museum, with the permission of the parish.
The original flat roofs of the New Sacristy and the Archive, and of the Communion Chapel, have also been recovered, on which tile roofs were placed in the XNUMXth century, and which now reveal the Gothic windows and embrasures to defend themselves with cannons.
At present, the restoration of the facades is being completed and the carpentry and electrification are being adapted.
