On Friday, a devastating fire destroyed one of Peru's timeless churches.
San Sebastion once stood tall and beautiful, but now, it is burned and charred. Authorities have no clue what started the fire. After the smoke had cleared Peru's Ministry of Culture stated that 80% of the altar's roof and 60% of the main hallway were both destroyed and the roof was in danger of collapsing. As well as the church itself, there were countless pieces of timeless art made by the Cuzco School of Roman Catholic Art, created by Spanish rulers after the conquest of the Inca Empire in 1534.
Two canvases titled "Martyrdom of San Sebastian" and a sculpture of the church's namesake, dating from the 17th century were burned. The fire also destroyed the churches' altar of gold-gilded cedar wood.
The church had spent $1.5 in 2013 installing smoke censors and emergency lights.
Countless pieces of art were lost due to this fire. Not to mention the church itself. I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose something so valuable to our culture. It is very disheartening. I hope they do what needs to be done and hopefully make new art that is fire-proof.
It makes me so sad to think that such beautiful artwork was destroyed as well as the church. Especially when both are so significant to the culture.
ReplyDeletei do wonder what started the fire but gosh i can't imagine what these people who go and care for that church must feel.
ReplyDeleteThis post is absolutely devastating, not only for the community but for the art which was a huge sign of victory to many. 1534?! You definitely can't bring that back.
ReplyDeleteThis has to be a real tradgedy to their community, losing something so symbolic to their culture like this. I hope they recover and rebuild, even though I understand it can never be what it was.
ReplyDeleteThis is so unfortunate that this happened, but all of the art work was so irreplaceable so I don't believe they can just recreate the art work that was made thousands of years ago.
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