Urgent restoration work required for Loreto church bell tower
The seven bells will be removed and displayed for the community before restoration.
On Thursday, with the scaffolding finally removed, engineers were able to climb up and inspect the bell tower of Iglesia de Mare de Déu de Loreto in the port and they discovered that its condition turns out to be more delicate than expected, making restoration both urgent and essential.
Next Tuesday, the seven bells will be carefully taken down and placed in the entrance corridor of the church, where everyone will have the chance to see them, learn about their history, and understand the care they require. Although they are in better condition than initially feared, they still need cleaning, restoration, and fine-tuning so they can once again ring out in their full strength and beauty.
On its social media, the parish is calling for the community’s help. “Together, we can ensure that our church shines once more in all its splendour. Every contribution – no matter how small – makes a difference. Thank you for being part of this living story.”
A Modern Monument to the Sea and Faith
The Iglesia de la Mare de Déu de Loreto is one of the most distinctive modern churches on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Its origins date back to a small chapel built in 1914, dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto, the patron saint of sailors. As the fishing community grew and the original chapel aged, a new and more ambitious project was conceived. The current church was inaugurated in 1967, designed by architects García Ordóñez, Dexeus Beatty, Bellot Port, and Herrero Cuesta, with engineer Gómez Perretta.
The church’s striking architecture, shaped like an inverted ship’s hull, pays tribute to the town’s seafaring roots. Its oval interior, reinforced concrete walls, and twelve slender external pillars, which symbolise the apostles, give the building both spiritual symbolism and modernist beauty. Considered a landmark of avant-garde religious architecture, the church has become an emblem of Duanes de la Mar. Beyond its architectural value, the church remains a vibrant centre of community life, hosting annual festivities in honour of the Virgin of Loreto that trace their origins back to the late 19th century.
