Early Saturday morning, a violent tremor measuring magnitude 4.8, with its epicenter located in Alhendín, strongly shook the city of Granada and its metropolitan area. The earthquake's effects were not confined to residential buildings but also caused material damage inside at least five temples in the Granadian capital.
In response, the Archdiocese of Granada issued a statement on social media, ordering the provisional suspension of worship and the closure of affected buildings. This measure will remain in place until specialized technicians conduct a thorough assessment to determine if structural damage exists.
The places of worship that sustained incidents include the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Parish of Santa María Magdalena, the Church of San Miguel Bajo, the Parish of Saints Justus and Pastor, and the Parish of Our Lady of Grace. In the latter, debris was found scattered on the floor and a crack in the arch supporting the vault directly above the sanctuary.
The Church of San Miguel Bajo, a 16th-century building located in the Albaicín, was also affected. The earthquake caused parts of the exterior cornice of its tower to fall, leading to the cordoning off of the nearby plaza. Despite the material damage, the main religious images of the brotherhoods and saints are reported to be in good condition.
The incidents were not limited to the capital. Various issues have also been reported in the temples of Chauchina and Churriana de la Vega, which will require expert review.
Meanwhile, the Granada Cathedral has maintained normalcy in its religious services but has decided to temporarily close the 'Kerygma' exhibition. This decision stems from the need for a comprehensive inspection to rule out potential damage from the tremor. The Archdiocese estimates that these reviews will extend until at least next Monday.
