The restoration of the Niño Jesús chapel at the Cathedral of Santa María in Calahorra has been successfully completed, following a project funded by a €30,000 grant from the Calahorra City Council. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the mayor of Calahorra, Mónica Arceiz, and the cultural councillor, Reyes Zapata, along with the bishop of the Diocese of Calahorra and La Calzada-Logroño, Monsignor Santos Montoya, the cathedral's dean, Jesús Ignacio Merino, and members of the Friends of the Cathedral association.
The restoration works, which began in February 2024 and concluded recently, have revitalised the chapel, originally established in 1735 under the initiative of Dean Pedro de Oñate y Murillas. The chapel's altarpiece, crafted between 1735 and 1736 by the local sculptor Diego Camporredondo, is regarded as one of the most significant examples of Baroque art in the La Rioja region. Its artistic value is complemented by its historical importance, having served as a model for subsequent works by Camporredondo in Calahorra and other municipalities in La Rioja.
The restoration was carried out by María José Herreros and Roberto Cagigal, focusing on the altarpiece and various decorative elements of the Niño Jesús chapel. Structural and conservation aspects were also addressed to ensure the preservation of the chapel and to maintain its historical and artistic significance.
This initiative underscores the Calahorra City Council's commitment to the conservation and protection of the city's historical heritage, as well as its collaboration with associations dedicated to its maintenance and promotion. In line with this commitment, the mayor signed a collaboration agreement in July with the president of the Friends of the Cathedral association to finance restoration work on the Pilar chapel of the Cathedral of Santa María, with an additional grant of €15,000.
