Spain’s Historic Church Ruined by Botched Statue Restoration—See the Shocking Photos

Controversy has sparked over the poorly restored statues in a Spanish church rebuilt in the 18th century.

According to local media, the angel statues in Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Mirón church in Soria underwent unprofessional restoration without research, causing damage. The church was established in 1725.

The church was built in the 13th century and restored in the 18th century with its long-lasting historical value.

However, the recent restoration has sparked massive backlash. The restored statues have crooked features, bright red lips, poorly painted eyebrows, and eyes with just a single dot for pupils, making them look ridiculous.

The interior of the church has also suffered consequences. Once adorned in white and gold, it now has patches of reddish-brown paint, making it difficult to recognize its original colors.

Local media criticized the restoration efforts, stating, “The angel statues look like cartoon characters,” and described the work as “destruction rather than restoration.” The Association of Restoration and Conservation Experts in Spain called it an “attack on cultural heritage by unprofessional restoration work.”

As a result, the contractor admitted that non-professionals were involved and temporarily closed the church. They are waiting for an evaluation from restoration experts.

This incident is not the first time that art in Spain has been damaged under the name of “restoration.”

In 2012, a resident attempted to restore the wall painting of Jesus, known as “Ecce Homo,” in a church in Borja, Spain, after the paint began to peel. The result caused damage and even resembled a monkey. Ironically, such “Monkey Christ” attracted more tourists.

A similar incident occurred with a 16th-century wooden sculpture in the San Miguel Estella church. That statue was later restored to its original appearance. In 2020, a private collector in Valencia had a Murillo copy restored by a furniture restoration company, transforming the piece into something entirely different and drawing significant attention.