Restoring an ancient monument is a delicate business.
Do you shore up an existing wall, or redo it completely in modern concrete?
But did he go too far?
Then five years ago, the tower suffered a partial collapse, requiring immediate intervention.
In doing so, he had totally altered the ruins.
The restored castle is now a strikingly white modern design with remains of the original castle embedded within it.
Modern standards for restoring historic buildings discouraged efforts to make them look as they might have when first erected.
You have to distinguish and maintain the historical value and architectural integrity, Rojas toldNY Times.
You cant make the structure have the same appearance as the original.
You cant falsify the appearance.
It has to be clear which parts are new and which are old.
Castle of Matrera, before the restoration.
I think the criticism comes from people without any knowledge of the criteria of modern restoration, he said.
We are very happy,Rojas saidafter receiving the award.
Its an enormous recognition of five years of work and effort.
The project and its development was done with much analysis, rigor and detail.
Photo credit:Ignacio Palomo Duarte/Wikimedia
Photo credit:Carquero Arquitectura/Architizer
Sources:Architizer/The Guardian/ArchDaily/NY Times/Wikipedia
