- Falling Bell at Orihuela Cathedral Sparks Fresh Concerns Over Heritage Neglect
The fall of a 1,300-kilogram bell during Palm Sunday Mass at Orihuela Cathedral has reignited concerns about the deteriorating state of the city’s religious heritage buildings. The bell, named María de Monserrat and cast in 1782, detached from its support due to a failed bearing and fell inside the tower, coming to rest on a vault. Thankfully, no one was injured.
The Mass had been moved back to the Cathedral from the Gabriel Miró Roundabout due to rain, a decision that inadvertently placed the congregation near the site of the incident.
Just four days earlier, debris fell from the Church of Saints Justa and Rufina during ongoing roof restoration works, prompting authorities to cordon off the area — but only after the collapse occurred. These back-to-back incidents have raised alarm about the state of Orihuela’s historic religious sites, many of which are owned by the Diocese.
The issue is not new: in 2020, part of the sacristy roof at the same church collapsed, and the Church of San Agustín has remained closed for decades due to structural risks.
Architects have since inspected the bell tower and will initiate a project to refurbish the remaining bells. However, the wave of incidents has triggered political and public backlash.
Local political group Cambiemos Orihuela has announced a motion demanding an urgent review of all diocesan properties in the city. Councilor Leticia Pertegal criticized the Diocese for “dereliction of duty” and urged the City Council to suspend financial support for cultural and heritage projects unless proper maintenance is ensured.
Echoing these concerns, Mario Martínez, president of the Orihuela Chamber of Commerce, also condemned the poor upkeep of the city’s historic architecture and the lack of preventative action by authorities.
A restoration plan for Orihuela as a Monumental, Historic-Artistic, and Archaeological City had already begun last year through collaboration between the City Council, Provincial Council, and Generalitat. In light of recent events, calls for swift and decisive action are growing louder.
Image: La Torre del Salvador. Orihuela. The damaged bell. María de Monserrat. 1362 kg. Cast in 1782. José María Pérez Basanta.
