Alex Trelinski
A BOTCHED restoration at a church in north-east Spain has seen its cherubs painted to appear like something in a low-budget cartoon.
Bringing back memories of the infamous ‘Ecce Homo’ restoration in 2012, the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Miron in Soria has now made its own unwanted headlines.
Work was carried out on the 300-year-old church including the painting of the building’s interior and figures in the central nave.
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Conservationists and experts have branded it as ‘disastrous and disrespectful’ to the church.
The city’s heritage group, Soria Patrimonio, has posted images on social media of the previously white interior turned pink.
The cherubs have been painted bright white with red lips and brownish hair with the group describing it as a ‘caricature’ amidst claims the revamp had been done without any preliminary studies.
Francisco Manuel Espejo, president of Spain’s conservators and restorers association, said: “We are not just talking about a failed restoration, but an attack on heritage.”
He also queried why a Baroque-era building was subjected to such a makeover when it enjoys protected status with any work needing to be signed off by Soria City Council and an expert.
“I don’t think, given the result, that any specialist would have authorised doing something like this,” he added.
As for the bright cherubs, Espejo said: “Those eyes and painted lips really grab your attention.”
A spokesperson for the diocese of Osma-Soria, said: “The work was carried out with the required authorisation and some people like the end result and others don’t.”
“We regret there is some dissatisfaction but it is a matter of taste,” the official added.
There has been no comment from Soria City Council.
