There was a brief skirmish between the ex-Mayor’s party and the present Mayor over La Herradura Castle.
The CA issued a press release in which they lamented that this recently restored monument has allegedly been closed up and forgotten. Not only that, claim the CA, but plants have been removed, as well as 16 benches and nine lampposts.
This opposition party – who would be governing had a coalition not formed against them, as they won the most votes – recalls how through the Convergencia Andaluza‘s efforts, 600,000 euros was spent on purchasing the castle from Central Government and doing it up to become a village epicentre for festive occasions, as well as a year-round tourist attraction. The castle was re-opened to the public in March 2011.
The CA says that upon reaching office, the Herrera Administration paralyzed a project to convert it into a sort of museum piece belonging to the coastal defenses of the 18th century, during the reign of Carlos III.
As for the missing benches and lampposts, the CA claim that the lighting was removed to be reinstalled along Calle Canalejas and the children’s play park. The CA said that this was little more than “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” or as the Spanish say, “taking the robes from one saint’s effigy to clothe another.”
Lastly, the CA say that the castle has been closed to the public since December, “depriving the villagers and tourists of an attraction of the first order.”
The First Councillor of La Herradura did not take long to respond. Juan José Ruiz Joya expressed his “surprise” upon hearing these accusations and invited members of the CA to visit the castle, as he says it is open as stated on the opening times at the gate.
Sr. Ruiz Joy reminds the CA that upon taking office the governing party “found the castle completely empty and not in use.” As for the castle being abandoned, he cited the recent use for the Feria de Outlet, which was held in the castle. Further more, he pointed out, the castle has been used to house several exhibitions, as well.
(News: Herradura, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)