16th Century Spanish Church spray-painted with anarchist graffiti by militant group
The City Council of Segovia has condemned the graffiti on the ruins of the old temple of San Agustin, from the sixteenth century. The group Yesca Segovia, which with several photographs and a video on their Facebook and Twitter profiles claims the attack.
This is the apse of the old church of San Agustín, in the centre of Segovia. The authors? The group Yesca Segovia, which with several photographs and a video on their Facebook and Twitter profiles claims the attack.
The monument to the fallen of La Division Azul of Segovia, located in the Plaza de San Agustín, is a monument that represents the memory of a fascism and a totalitarian regime that supported the National Socialist side. Once again, our response is clear- Yesca Segovia (@YescaSegovia) November 12, 2019
"This is a monument that represents the memory of a fascist and totalitarian regime and supported the national-socialist side," they argue to justify their action against the ruins of what was once a temple. The fact that Franco's regime took advantage of the occasion to erect a monument to honor the Segovians who fought on the "national" side during the Civil War has served the radical left to justify its aggression.
And against this monument, but also against the walls of the temple, are painted, mostly in red. "Once again, our answer is clear: No homage or praise for Francoism. For an anti-fascist historical memory," they claim in their publication from Yesca, a group that has also attacked other monuments in other parts of Castile and Leon with graffiti. On October 12th, it was the monument to Christopher Columbus in Valladolid that was the object of their attack.
"Now and forever: Out with fascism from our towns and cities! Antifascist Castile", ends the text in which they claim and boast of their attack on heritage with plastic paint and spray paint in hand.
Condemnation by the City Council
For its part, the City Council of Segovia has condemned the graffiti on the ruins of the old temple of San Agustin, from the sixteenth century. In addition, it has ordered the street cleaning service to clean them with pressurised water and a solvent that does not damage the limestone.
The Consistory, presided over by the Socialist Clara Luquero, after the report made by the Local Police, will initiate the administrative procedure corresponding to an act of vandalism and will consider transferring the case to the public prosecutor's office for damages to the municipal patrimony. In this case it is a cultural property that does not have the declaration of BIC, but it is part of the historical complex and has integral protection within the current planning.
The former convent of San Agustín (1570-1600) is the work of the Segovia architect Pedro de Brizuela. Of the complex, only the head of the temple remains, an example of the transition between the Plateresque Gothic and 16th century Renaissance styles.
Source: ABC