The Department of Education, Culture, and Sports of the Government of Aragón has completed the restoration work on the southern façade of the Parish Church of Santa María la Mayor in Uncastillo (Zaragoza), with an investment of 196,020 euros. The Councillor Tomasa Hernández and the General Director of Cultural Heritage, Gloria Pérez, supervised the results of the intervention conducted between July and December 2024 by the company Ártyco S.L..
Historical and Artistic Context of the Church of Santa María
The church has been declared a Good of Cultural Interest since 1931, and Uncastillo was recognized as a Historic Ensemble in 1966. Its Romanesque façade from the 12th century stands out for its three decorated archivolts featuring both secular and religious motifs, as well as residual polychromy and historiated capitals on columns that enhance its artistic and heritage value.
The restoration was carried out through a bidding process, where the contract was awarded via public competition to the company Arte, Conservación y Restauración (Ártyco) S.L.. The techniques employed included cleaning with controlled micro-projection and laser ablation, as well as the consolidation of deteriorated areas with slaked lime. Additionally, cement mortars were replaced with compatible materials that ensure the integrity of the heritage.
Conservation Measures and Functional Aspects
During the intervention, treatments were applied such as the removal of biological colonization, which included plants and bird nests, and the sealing of fissures and cracks to prevent infiltration. An additional copper gargoyle was also installed to improve water drainage. Furthermore, a technical report was generated that includes a preventive maintenance plan and an audiovisual record of the process, complemented by an explanatory poster. Among the improvements implemented is the restoration of the original wooden door and the rehabilitation of a handrail to ensure safe access to the temple, under the technical supervision of the Cultural Heritage Protection Service.
