EU Outcry in Seville: Botched Virgin Mary Restoration Sparks Tears and Fury

[Social Media]

Outcry in Seville: Botched Virgin Mary Restoration Sparks Tears and Fury

 

In the heart of Seville, a revered 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary—known as the Virgin of the Macarena—has become the center of controversy after a restoration left her almost unrecognizable to her devoted followers. Catholics in the city have been left shocked, with some moved to tears, after the restoration appeared to give the sacred effigy the stylized appearance of having undergone plastic surgery.

 

 

The wooden polychrome statue, one of Spain’s most iconic religious images and a central figure in Seville’s Easter Week processions, has withstood centuries of history, including war and even, as legend has it, a glass of red wine hurled at her by a Protestant. But nothing seems to have shaken the public's faith like the recent aesthetic alterations, which included giving the Virgin extra-long eyelashes and altering her facial expression.

 

“This isn’t her; this isn’t the Virgin of Seville. It’s sad. My heart is about to burst out,” one distressed member of the Brotherhood of the Macarena told ABC newspaper. Another shared, “I came to see her because everyone in my family has been crying all day about it.”

 

The response was so immediate and visceral that, within 24 hours, the brotherhood responsible for the statue reportedly carried out two unannounced follow-up restorations in an effort to reverse the changes. The statue had been unveiled in the Basilica of the Macarena on Saturday after five days of restoration work, but the result was met with widespread public backlash.

 

Local media captured the sentiment clearly. Diario de Sevilla noted that while the Virgin’s face appeared cleaner, “what most caught the attention, besides the clarity of her face, were her eyelashes, significantly more abundant and which, to a certain extent, changed the expression of her face, somewhat modifying the characteristic gaze of the Virgin Mary.”

 

Under mounting pressure, the brotherhood issued a formal apology and temporarily closed the basilica on Saturday afternoon to carry out additional corrections. When the statue was revealed again, her eyelashes had been shortened—an effort to correct what was described as an “undesired effect.” Yet this wasn’t enough to quell the unrest.

 

On Sunday morning, the basilica was closed once again, and this time, the Virgin Mary emerged bearing a closer resemblance to her original appearance, as Our Lady of Hope, the name by which she is also venerated.

 

The incident quickly dominated headlines and social media in Spain, surpassing even coverage of a major government corruption scandal and the ongoing war in Iran. Outraged critics have drawn comparisons to Spain’s most infamous restoration disaster: the 2012 case of “Monkey Christ,” when an elderly parishioner attempted to touch up a fresco of Jesus Christ, turning it into an international spectacle.

 

What began as an attempt to refresh a treasured image of faith has instead ignited a fierce debate over tradition, reverence, and the limits of restoration. For many in Seville, the Virgin of the Macarena is not just a statue but a symbol of enduring spiritual identity. Any alteration, however well-intentioned, touches more than just paint and wood—it touches the soul of a community.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times  2025-06-25

 

 

 

[Purdey]

Hey Macarena. (Ay!)

It's just an imaginary depiction. I am not sure anyone knows what she looked like.

[proton]

Was she in this

 

 

[jcmj]

Which of the three pictures is the final product. 

[Watawattana]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

Local media captured the sentiment clearly. Diario de Sevilla noted that while the Virgin’s face appeared cleaner, “what most caught the attention, besides the clarity of her face, were her eyelashes, significantly more abundant and which, to a certain extent, changed the expression of her face, somewhat modifying the characteristic gaze of the Virgin Mary.”

If it had been a British restorer she might have had a trout pout?

[soalbundy]

Looks like the priest has been at her.........again, no wonder she's crying.

[Magictoad]

Can we PLEASE have an explanation of which is which? The current display is most unhelpful. 

And can people please show a modicum of respect for the image in question. Please remember there are a lot of Catholics who may be offended by your silly comments. 

[KannikaP]

8 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

Can we PLEASE have an explanation of which is which? The current display is most unhelpful. 

And can people please show a modicum of respect for the image in question. Please remember there are a lot of Catholics who may be offended by your silly comments. 

Maybe they should follow the Islams and not allow any photos or effigies of their 'leaders'. 

[ignore it]

Looks like a bad make-up job.

 

Wonder who does her hail and nails?