The minaret of the old Árchez mosque is an Almohad architectural jewel from the 14th century that rises 15 meters high on a 3.64-meter square plan with a central pillar of more than 1.07 meters around which the staircase is arranged, which is covered with a half-barrel vault. On the outside of the minaret we can see a decoration of geometric figures, among which we can distinguish rhombuses of curved lines intertwined with each other and cut out on the brick (sebka panel). It preserves the polychromy in reddish tones that occupy the front of the four facades, with smooth corners.
Above this body there is a strip of tiles forming diamond shapes and, above this, another smaller section occupied by interlocking horseshoe arches, which also preserve polychrome. At the top there is a section of bell tower raised above the minaret, with two bells. This section is finished with plaster and painted in ocher.
The minaret has been restored and declared a national historical-artistic monument by Royal Decree of April 20, 1979, and ten years later, in 1989, it was fully restored. The church that serves as a bell tower is a mosque rehabilitated for Christian worship. The minarets of Árchez and Salares belong to the remains of the mosques that existed in these two towns, located in the valley of the
Carob and have great historical and artistic value. They are of great analogy due to their layout, dimensions and decoration, and constitute a sample of Almohad art that was so significant in Andalusia in the 13th and 14th centuries.
The works that have been carried out are the cleaning and maintenance of the roof, through the work of disassembling the existing ceramic tile roof, repairing the existing wooden decking, treating the wood to protect it from humidity and other agents. In addition, the body of the bell tower has been painted white.
During the works, the eaves of the roof were reinforced by using fiberglass armor, instead of the steel armor normally used in order to avoid future deterioration caused by metal oxidation.
The works have also served to clean the bell tower and its protection so that visitors to the municipality can enjoy its contemplation as well as touch the lizard/salmanquesa of the main bell as legend has it.
