HERNANDEZ CHURCH DEDICATED

A Mass of dedication was held last week, attended by Orihuela mayor Monica Lorente, a number of city councillors and virtually the whole of the local neighbourhood, at which the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, which has been renovated with a budget of nearly 200,000 euros, was finally reopened.

With a freshly repaired façade and repainted brickwork the shrine is situated in the street where Orihuela's most famous son, poet Miguel Hernandez, lived for many of his formative years. Hernandez is also known to have worshipped in the church.

The building is particularly distinctive because the area of worship is situated high above the street, which complicated much of he work. Much of the renovation has been required to strengthen the brick and the woodwork in the chapel, eliminate water seepage and dampness, and completely rewire the electrical system.

In addition, the architects have restored the interior decorative elements, marble walls and frescoed ceilings such as angels, which they were able to recover from a number of old drawings.