‘Sodomized’ gargoyles beside Spain’s world-famous Santiago Cathedral: The ‘aberration’ only the public noticed
In the heart of Santiago de Compostela, steps from the city’s world‑famous cathedral, a restoration project has ignited a fierce debate over how Spain protects its heritage. Workers renovating the Hostal dos Reis Católicos — a 15th‑century pilgrim hospital turned parador — installed copper pipes straight through its Renaissance gargoyles, leaving the sculptures visibly impaled. The images have shocked locals and specialists alike, forcing authorities into damage‑control mode.
