The key facts
- The facade, 15 meters wide and 11 meters high, is attributed to the architect Andrés de Vandelvira
- The Supreme Court of Spain confirmed the owner's right to a reward of over one million euros
- The money has not yet been paid, and the building remains a protected monument
A discovery during renovation
An ordinary renovation of an old house in the historic center of the Spanish city of Úbeda turned into a major archaeological find. According to El País, the building's owner, Juan Francisco León Cadenas, in November 2016, together with his father, was dismantling the walls of the house he had purchased when he discovered old stonework beneath the building structures. Hidden behind it was the facade of the church of the former Hospital of Saint George, whose history dates back to 1347.
The value of the find
The scale of the composition impressed specialists: it is 15 meters wide and 11 meters high. The facade itself belongs to a later period and is attributed to the renowned Renaissance architect Andrés de Vandelvira. Experts noted the structure's high artistic value and its good state of preservation after centuries of being hidden.
A years-long legal dispute
The owner did not receive a quick reward: the Andalusian authorities refused to pay, arguing that the site was already part of protected historical heritage. The court did not find these arguments proven and confirmed the man's right to compensation. The Supreme Court of Spain delivered the final word: a special commission valued the reward due to the discoverer at more than one million euros.
What comes next
Despite the court ruling, the man has not yet received the money, and the building remains protected as a historical monument. He is currently negotiating with municipal authorities about restoring and preserving the facade. The condition of neighboring buildings complicates the situation: leaking roofs and damaged wooden floors threaten the historic structure. The owner hopes that the monument will eventually be opened to visitors.
