Fierce winds from Storm Leonardo have damaged one of Sevilla’s most emblematic sites.
At around 6.15am, gusts of over 70km/hr caused the collapse of a decorative element of the Giralda, the iconic bell tower of the famous Catedral de Sevilla.
According to local authorities, the fallen piece was one of the four ornamental lily jars positioned at the corners of the upper terrace of the tower – specifically the southeastern corner, overlooking Puerta de Palos and Plaza Virgen de los Reyes.
The object fell directly to the ground below and luckily, due to the time of the day, did not cause any personal injury.
Safety checks and cordon put in place
Following the incident, cathedral technicians carried out a visual inspection of the remaining decorative elements on the Giralda and reported no further visible damage.
At 7.15am, Sevilla’s Local Police established a security perimeter around Plaza Virgen de los Reyes as a precaution.
The cordon will remain in place until a more detailed inspection can be carried out using specialised equipment to rule out any additional risks.
Despite the incident, the Cathedral authorities confirmed that the Giralda remains open to visitors, following consultations with technical experts.
Possible cause and historical significance
Initial assessments suggest the fallen piece may have been affected by water saturation of the stone, after weeks of persistent rainfall. The ornamental lilies were already reviewed during the most recent restoration works on the tower.
The bronze lily jars, installed in 1751, symbolise the purity of the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception and are a key element of the Cathedral Chapter’s emblem alongside the Giralda itself.
The current pieces replaced the original versions, which had deteriorated over time, and were restored by Seville silversmith Fernando Marmolejo Camargo.
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