On January 12, the apse of the Parish Church of Santa María del Castillo, in Muriel de Zapardiel (Valladolid), partially collapsed, causing deep shock in this small locality and forcing the cordoning off of the temple due to structural risk. The collapse exposed part of the walls and opened a cavity that urgently required technical intervention to prevent further deterioration.
According to information from the Archdiocese of Valladolid, work began last Friday to install a provisional solution that will protect the damaged structure and prepare the ground for the future reconstruction of the apse.
Protection and preparation for reconstruction
The intervention consists of placing a large tarpaulin and installing scaffolding both outside and inside the building. This temporary structure will cover the cavity caused by the collapse and stabilize the affected area.
The design and installation, carried out by the company ISP, have been supported by specialists in civil engineering and the conservation of historic buildings. The proposed solution fulfills a triple function: protecting the interior of the temple and the walls that were left exposed to the elements, securing the damaged area, and providing adequate workspace for the workers who will intervene in the reconstruction.
Additionally, it will allow technicians to conduct a detailed visual inspection at various heights, both of the walls and the roof, in order to clarify more precisely the possible causes of the collapse.
A priority action
The Delegation of Heritage and Works of the Archdiocese of Valladolid has stated that the reconstruction of the church in Muriel de Zapardiel constitutes a priority action within the set of interventions being carried out in the archdiocese.
Once the preliminary technical study was completed, and taking advantage of a favorable weather window and the availability of human and material resources, this provisional phase has been initiated. The action has been previously communicated to the Junta de Castilla y León, given that the temple is cataloged as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC).
To date, the Archdiocese has allocated nearly 28,000 euros to the initial actions, which have included debris removal and the installation and rental of auxiliary means.
Next step: the definitive project
With this new phase, the work advances toward the drafting of the execution project that will allow the reconstruction of the collapsed apse. The document will be prepared by the technical team of the Archdiocese’s Heritage Delegation itself, made up of professionals specialized in architecture and restoration, with experience in similar interventions.
The objective is to reproduce the original configuration of the apse with the greatest possible fidelity, respecting the historical and artistic value of the temple and restoring the architectural integrity of the church in Muriel de Zapardiel.