The Zaragoza Provincial Council has launched a bidding process to restore the historic altarpiece of Santiago in the Tarazona Cathedral, with a budget of €83,000. This initiative aims to complete the rehabilitation of the Santiago chapel, which has received a total investment of nearly €400,000.
Bidding Details and Financing
On May 21, 2026, the Zaragoza Provincial Council announced the bidding for the restoration and reinstallation of the Santiago altarpiece in its original location. The project, with a budget of €83,000, is part of a larger effort to recover heritage spaces within the Tarazona Cathedral. The president of the DPZ, Juan Antonio Sánchez Quero, emphasized the institution’s commitment to cover 100% of the project costs.
The restoration of the altarpiece is the final phase in a series of interventions at the cathedral, which also include the rehabilitation of the chapel and the Purification altarpiece with an investment of €290,000. Additionally, the DPZ has initiated plans to restore the chapel of San Vicente Ferrer and the church organ.
Condition and Characteristics of the Santiago Altarpiece
The Santiago altarpiece, a Gothic work dating back to 1497, is a wooden panel painting by Pedro Díaz de Oviedo. Dismounted 40 years ago, the altarpiece is a piece of cultural interest that has suffered significant damage, primarily from wood-eating insects. Although the titular image and one of the panels were restored previously, the entire assembly is in poor condition, stored in 38 pieces.
Measuring approximately 7.5 meters high and 4.5 meters wide, the altarpiece is made of gilded and polychrome wood. The restoration will include studies to determine the painting technique and the state of conservation, along with treatments to eliminate infestations and to consolidate the wood.
Restoration Phases and Execution
The restoration of the altarpiece will begin with a detailed study to assess its condition and define the intervention methodology. Priority will be given to eradicating insects and structurally restoring the wood. Tasks will include securing layers, cleaning the polychrome, and plastering. The project will conclude with the reassembly of the altarpiece in its original location in the Santiago chapel.
The deadline for completing the restoration is six months, and the awarded company will need to have a team of three restorers and a specialized carpenter. This intervention aims not only to preserve cultural heritage but also to return one of the Tarazona Cathedral’s most iconic pieces.
