The sudden storm that struck the town of Alcañices on Monday morning was over by ten. Lightning hit the tallest section of the bell tower of the historic parish church, Nuestra Señora la Virgen de la Asunción de Alcañices, causing widespread attention and concern.
Since 2007, the Virgen de la Asunción church has been designated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a Cultural Interest Well, a historical site within the walled area of Alcañices. The church sits beside the former Palace of the Marqueses de Alcañices, which has since become the Virgen de la Salud Residence for the Elderly, a landmark that ties together past and present life in the town.
The storm swept across the Aliste region with intense electrical activity, delivering a constellation of lightning strikes. One bolt struck the old tower, inflicting serious damage. Large stones were displaced into the street, while others landed on the church roof, contributing to structural concerns and potential rockslides nearby. The event drew attention from residents, visitors, and regional authorities who monitor heritage sites during severe weather. Citation: Local Archives.
Damage to the church roof and surrounding structure was photographed for assessment by authorities and historians, who noted the impact on a building that embodies centuries of architectural history. The wind and lightning contributed to a broader pattern of storm-related effects across the area, prompting emergency measures and ongoing inspections of vulnerable heritage assets. Citation: Local Archives.
The church is an interlocking, Romanesque-influenced structure rooted in the 12th and 13th centuries. It features a Latin cross floor plan, retains pointed arches, and preserves a triple archival portal that frames the entrance. The tower carries a weather vane made of metal, which collapsed entirely after the lightning strike, underscoring the vulnerability of tall wooden and metal elements in severe weather. The building’s enduring layout reveals layers of architectural evolution that connect the medieval to the modern day, illustrating how historic spaces adapt to present needs and safety concerns. Citation: Local Archives.