UAV Photogrammetry Surveying for Sustainable Conservation: The Case of Mondújar Castle (Granada, Spain)

Abstract

Mondújar Castle is an Andalusi fortress located in the Valle de Lecrín (Granada, Spain). It had strategic importance in the final years of the Kingdom of Granada. The king Muley Hacén lived there before passing away, resulting in the popularisation of Romantic legends around its construction. Despite these folktales, the fortress has never been surveyed or restored and a complete architectural graphic study of this place is lacking. Therefore, it is essential to document the architectural heritage to collect relevant information for conservation work. Our main goal is to better understand the origin, architectural influences and building phases of the fortress, which requires historical and surveying methods. We present a historical approximation, followed by a photogrammetric survey. This is the first study on the medieval fortress and its subsequent Castilian refortification (executed around 1500). We conclude that it is not plausible that this place was the location of any legendary palaces. Apart from its historical and constructive significance, the use of Islamic funerary elements, probably coming from the Royal Nasrid Cemetery, makes this castle unique. Therefore, the preservation and understanding of this monument should be a priority within the sustainable development of the region.