Murcia Cathedral grand renovation will be unveiled next week
The tarp will be removed from the façade of the iconic Murcia landmark right on schedule
The highly anticipated grand reveal of the renovated Murcia Cathedral is almost here. On Monday September 2, the tarp concealing the iconic landmark's façade will finally come down after almost a year, as the impressive project enters its final stages.
For nearly 12 months now, the stunning baroque façade has been hidden from view as craftspeople worked to restore it to its former glory.
However, there is a downside, as the double scaffolding surrounding the Cathedral will also be removed.
According to the bishop of the Diocese of Cartagena, José Manuel Lorca Planes, around 35,000 people had the opportunity to witness the restoration process firsthand with the use of this scaffolding, bringing in about 108,000 euros to the Cathedral's coffers.
The Mayor of Murcia, José Ballesta, expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “After a year, a historic work will be completed, and the people of Murcia will be reunited with the most beautiful baroque façade in the world after its restoration, the most important of the last two centuries.”
To commemorate the occasion, the Murcia City Council will pay tribute to the architect of the façade, Jaime Bort, 300 years after he first envisioned the landmark building.
On Wednesday September 11, they will present 'Murcia 1,200, el sueño de Jaime Bort,' a spectacular show combining theatre, music, special effects and lots of surprises in the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga at 9.30pm.
Led by actor Julio Navarro, who will portray Bort, and featuring the musical talents of Belter Souls, the show promises to be a memorable celebration.
Once the scaffolding is removed next week, visitors will have a perfect view of the highest part of the façade, the crest, as the image of the Virgin of the Assumption.
In terms of the budget, it’s more or less on track: the mayor confirmed that it has gone over by around 10%, but only because some additional works were added after the project began.
The company overseeing the restoration is in the final stretch, with 90% of the work already completed. Currently, they are applying a glaze with pigment to the stone to enhance its colour and appearance without altering the original layers. Additionally, the sculpture of Saint Paul will undergo restoration.
Image: Diócesis de Cartagena
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