In late December 2024, the Cristo del Amor image in Vélez-Málaga was vandalised with a swastika and obscured face, sparking outrage over the desecration of a beloved devotional site.
In late December 2024, the Cristo del Amor shrine in Vélez-Málaga, created by artist Julio Anaya Cabanding, was defaced with a swastika painted on the chest and the figure’s face obscured. The artwork, located in a rural ruin and revered by locals as a site of prayer and devotion, had previously been respected despite surrounding graffiti. This is the first time the image itself was directly attacked. The artist announced plans to restore the piece, reaffirming his commitment to public art despite repeated vandalism.
Source and photo: Málaga Hoy.