In the deeply Catholic city of Sevilla, the Virgin of the Macarena isn’t just a statue – she’s an icon, a mother, a silent witness to centuries of faith.
So when her face appeared noticeably altered last week after a hush-hush ‘restoration,’ local worshippers were outraged.
What was meant to be a simple conservation effort at the iconic yellow-painted church in the Macarena neighbourhood, has unleashed a storm of protests, emotional outpourings, and even cries of sacrilege.
Hundreds gathered outside the Basilica de la Macarena on Monday night in disbelief, demanding answers – and the resignation of the brotherhood’s leader.
One devotee told El Pais: ‘Her facial expression has completely changed. It pains me deeply to say it, but she looks like a poor copy of the original.’
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The main update was giving the Virgin figurine eyelashes and making her skin appear glossier.
But the backlash was swift. Within 24 hours of the statue’s unveiling, the brotherhood responsible for her care (La Hermandad de la Macarena) had quietly tweaked her appearance twice, first shortening the lashes and then darkening her skin tone. But for the faithful, the damage was already done.
While the brotherhood insists the intervention was a routine maintenance task, they have yet to release the full report of what was done, or who exactly did it.
Despite calls for his resignation, the Hermano Mayor (head of the brotherhood) has so far remained in place, though he’s now facing a formal motion of no confidence.
A petition to return the Virgin to her ‘true face’ has already amassed over 20,000 signatures.
