Elche continues with restoration work of the Arab Baths. Credit: Ayuntamiento de Elche.
Elche is moving forward with plans to protect and showcase the historic Arab Baths at Plaza Menendez Pelayo, with construction reaching an important new stage. Specialist foundation work is now beginning around the archaeological remains, while progress is also being made on the neighbouring Central Market redevelopment, where new roof panels are being installed.
Foundation work begins around Arab Baths
Elche is moving ahead with the restoration and future museum development of the Arab Baths at Plaza Menendez Pelayo, as work continues on the wider Central Market redevelopment.
Construction has now reached the foundation stage for the structure that will eventually protect and display the archaeological remains.
Over the next three weeks, machinery will carry out excavations before installing micropiles measuring 200 millimetres in diameter. These will extend between nine and 11 metres underground until reaching stable ground identified by geological studies.
Micropiles will protect archaeological remains
The method has been chosen because it allows foundations to be created with minimal impact on the archaeological remains.
Once this stage is completed, work will move on to constructing the walls and installing the roof.
The finished building will recreate architectural features associated with historic Arab baths. The hot, warm and cold rooms will have vaulted ceilings designed to resemble those of the original period, while other areas will feature flat roofs with a central skylight.
Historic baths will become museum space
The project follows archaeological work carried out during recent months and will eventually allow the remains to become part of a museum space incorporated into the Central Market redevelopment.
The new structure is intended to protect the archaeological remains while allowing them to be displayed as part of the wider development of the area.
Central Market redevelopment also moves forward
Work is also progressing on the market building itself, where installation of glass panels on the roof has begun as the renovation continues.
The work on both the market and Arab Baths will eventually bring the archaeological remains into the redeveloped Central Market area, combining the restoration of an important part of Elche’s history with the wider transformation of the site.