The old hermitage in Puerto Escondido was damaged by an arson attack, which targeted a cross above its entrance door.
The old hermitage "Nuestra Señora de Puerto Rico" suffered an arson attack started by unknown vandals: the stone lintel above the main door, which has a cross on it, was partially destroyed at the top, and the wooden door was badly burned. Part of the wooden coffered ceiling (Mudéjar-style) had been affected, but it wasn't confirmed whether the internal roof structure had suffered deep damage. The entrance was temporarily boarded up, vulnerable parts of the structure were reinforced, and the local council initiated urgent protective measures, including installing protective sheets and reviewing a rehabilitation project.
The 16th-century hermitage is a protected heritage site ('Bien de Interés Cultural') that has reportedly not received the necessary protection from local authorities to ensure its preservation.
Imagen: Diario de Fuerteventura