In Seville last night, a long line formed outside the walls of the basilica. By dawn, the number of people eager to see the restored La Macarena had surpassed a hundred, and the flow of visitors only kept increasing. At six in the morning, the church doors opened, and for the first time in months, worshippers were able to pay their respects once again to the famous statue, which had been removed from the altar in August for urgent restoration. The reason was an unsuccessful attempt at renovation carried out over the summer, after which the sacred image’s face was left distorted and the city was swept by debate and disappointment.
The wait was long, but for many it became a test of faith and devotion. People stood in the cold to make sure their beloved sanctuary had regained its familiar appearance. The restoration was led by Pedro Manzano, who personally informed parishioners about the progress of the work. In a letter, he admitted that each day spent by the statue was, for him, an act of responsibility and respect for a centuries-old tradition. He aimed to restore the very expressiveness to the statue that generations of believers had seen as a source of comfort and hope.
The faithful react
Inside the church, emotions overwhelmed the crowd. Shouts of “¡Esperanza, guapa!” and “¡Viva!” rang out through the hall as people saw the renewed La Macarena for the first time. Faces showed relief and joy—a far cry from the confusion and tears many experienced in June, when they failed to recognize the familiar image. Today, only one sentiment was heard: “She’s back!”
In June, the brotherhood entrusted the restoration to Francisco Arquillo, a professor at the University of Seville who had worked for many years to preserve this statue. At the time, it was meant to be just a surface treatment, but the outcome shocked everyone: eyelashes that were far too long and unnaturally light paint completely changed the statue’s facial expression. Attempts to urgently fix the situation—first by trimming the eyelashes, then by bringing in a young craftsman to restore the original color—only made things worse.
Crisis and change
In the following days, resignations swept through the brotherhood, and experts from the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) were brought in to assess the statue’s condition. Their findings were alarming: in addition to the unfortunate changes to the eyelids and eyes, they discovered traces of pests and a crack running across the entire face. It also turned out that the intervention had affected the statue’s hands and tears, and the methods used had damaged its original form.
Pedro Manzano had to deal with a complex set of problems. Unlike previous attempts, this time the process was as transparent as possible: video updates were published every month, and a special commission of experts oversaw the work. The stages included treating the statue for pests in an oxygen-free chamber, removing unnecessary metal elements, restoring the original color, and carefully cleaning the eyelids and tears.
Attention to detail
Before returning the statue to its original place, restorers conducted final inspections. La Macarena was positioned at various spots within the church to evaluate how the light fell on her and how every detail looked. During the process, it was noticed that her right eye was slightly more open than before, so this flaw was corrected by removing an excess layer of material from the eyelid.
The brotherhood recently elected a new leadership, and its management is now determined not to repeat past mistakes. Judging by the response of the faithful, they have managed to restore trust and hope. The restored La Macarena has once again become a symbol for thousands who rushed to see her image from early morning.
History and significance
La Macarena is more than just a religious relic. For Seville, she is part of the city’s identity—a focus of devotion and a cultural symbol that unites generations. Her return after such dramatic events turned into a true celebration for the city. People shared their emotions, took photos of the statue, exchanged their impressions, and recalled how they worried about the fate of this sacred image all this time.
The restoration of La Macarena has become an example of how important it is to care for historical monuments and listen to the voice of the community. Now that the statue has returned to its rightful place, Seville is settling back into its usual rhythm, and the faithful can once again turn to their symbol of hope and comfort.
In case you didn’t know, La Macarena is one of the most revered Madonnas in Spain, created in the 17th century and housed in the Basilica de la Macarena in Seville. Its annual processions attract tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists. The Hermandad de la Macarena is the city’s oldest religious organization and plays a significant role in the region’s cultural and spiritual life. The restoration of the statue has become an event not only for the faithful but for all of Seville.
