This Alicante County Council will subsidize 488000 euros for the initial phase of a project to open an archaeological park around the Banys de la Reina in Calp. The announcement came from the architect’s assistant, José Ramón González de Zárate, together with Calp’s mayor, Ana Sala, during the book launch for the Banys de la Reina Master Plan.
Calp already has a plan to save Banys de la Reina
Aerial imagery shows the Banys de la Reina in Calp as the plan takes shape. González de Zárate stressed the ongoing commitment of the Provincial Assembly and the MARQ Foundation, highlighting their role in valuing the province’s cultural and historical heritage and safeguarding it for public enjoyment. The Master Plan marks a new milestone in a project that began in 2019, aimed at protecting the residential zone while elevating the site as an internationally respected tourist asset.
Aerial view caption: Banys de la Reina Calp – information
The deputy praised the dedication and teamwork of archaeologists and municipal technicians who will drive this roadmap. The site stands out as one of the largest Roman-era embankments along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, signifying its singularity and monumentality.
González de Zárate also called for stronger cooperation among different administrations and faster, streamlined procedures so action can begin promptly. The aim is to preserve and maintain Alicante’s historical heritage.
Presentation caption: Banys Reina Calp field – information
In this context, the Valencia Generalitat’s Regional Heritage Directorate announced a forthcoming tripartite meeting with the provincial agency and the Calp City Council to speed up bureaucratic processes and kick-start the project. The first phase was anticipated for completion in the first quarter of 2023.
Consolidation of deposits
The Master Plan outlines necessary steps for consolidation along with management, economic planning, and sustainability methods. It also envisions the restoration of architectural remains and their adaptation into a site museum. Three concrete phases were proposed for the Banys de la Reina de Calp Archaeological Park, with the initial phase opening the enclave to the public within a two-year timeline.
Els Banys de la Reina de Calp was a magnificent palace
During the plan’s presentation, a team led by Rafael Pérez, director of the City Council’s Architecture Department, alongside Calp’s regional and culture councilors, explained the unique features of the archaeological embankment and its surroundings. The site covers a large tract of land nearby, spanning around four hectares, with historic nurseries in the region that supplied fish, and frescoes from Roman villas dating from the 1st to the 7th century AD.
All discovered structures form a coherent ensemble of residential, recreational, industrial, and religious buildings in ancient times. Modern elements, such as the Molí del Morelló from the 19th century and a tuff quarry on the coast, also shape the landscape.