English
A Spanish homeowner who uncovered a hidden Renaissance church facade during a renovation now stands to receive more than €1 million in compensation. However, nearly a decade after the discovery, he has yet to receive a single euro.
A Hidden Facade Behind the Walls
In November 2016, Juan Francisco León Catena and his father began tearing down interior walls inside a property he had bought in Úbeda, a historic town in Andalusia, southern Spain. Behind layers of plaster and partitions, they found a massive stone facade measuring roughly 49 feet wide and 36 feet tall.
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The stonework belonged to the chapel of the former Hospital of San Jorge, also known as the Hospital of Pero Almindes, founded in 1347. The surviving facade includes Renaissance additions attributed to Andrés de Vandelvira, the celebrated 16th-century architect behind many of the region’s most iconic buildings. Úbeda, together with neighboring Baeza, holds UNESCO World Heritage status, awarded in 2003.
Heritage officials who examined the find praised its remarkable preservation and artistic significance. They described it as a rare surviving example of Renaissance funerary chapel architecture.
Legal Battle Over the Reward
The discovery immediately halted León Catena’s renovation plans. Under Spain’s 1985 heritage law, the facade is legally protected. However, that same law also entitles people who accidentally uncover historically significant structures to financial compensation.
Claiming that reward proved far more difficult than finding the facade itself. The regional government initially refused to pay, triggering a legal dispute that dragged on for years. Spain’s Supreme Court eventually ruled in León Catena’s favor. An Andalusian government valuation committee has since determined he is entitled to more than €1 million, equivalent to approximately $1.2 million. Despite the ruling, he has not yet received the money.
The Monument Remains at Risk
Meanwhile, the future of the facade itself remains uncertain. León Catena has been negotiating with local officials over a proposal to open the facade to the street, making it visible to residents and tourists. In exchange, he has asked the city to fund the renovation of the four-story building surrounding it.
No agreement has been reached. Moreover, a conservation report commissioned by the regional government has raised serious concerns. Leaking roofs in neighboring municipal properties have caused water damage, rotting wooden beams, and mold growth. Officials warned that ongoing deterioration could eventually lead to a structural collapse.
“Every month that passes without action increases the concern,” León Catena told El País. He added that authorities have been warned repeatedly but have yet to agree on a solution.
A Family Still Waiting
For now, the facade remains cordoned off, much as it was on the day León Catena first discovered it. He and his family, who had originally planned to make the building their home, have since moved into another property on the same street.
“Too much time has passed,” León Catena said. His priority, he added, is to finally make the long-hidden monument accessible to the public.
