The Granada City Council, in collaboration with the municipal company Emasagra, has completed the comprehensive restoration of the historic Pilar on Elvira Street, also known as Pilar de las Angustias, dating back to 1671. The intervention, which involved an investment of around 32,000 euros, has restored the original splendor of this heritage site located at the intersection of Elvira Street and Abarqueros Slope, very close to the Elvira Arch.
According to the Council, this action is part of the municipal plan for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of the city’s historical heritage. The work was carried out between 2023 and 2025, in collaboration with Emasagra, the municipal company responsible for maintaining ornamental fountains. The intervention was motivated by the risk of detachment and possible collapse of part of the roof on which the Pilar rests, necessitating urgent action to ensure the structural safety of the area and protect the heritage value of the site.
The Mayor of Granada, Marifrán Carazo, stated that «this restoration reflects the City Council’s strong commitment to the recovery of Granada’s heritage, as protecting our history is also a way to build the future.» In this sense, she emphasized that «actions like this dignify our urban spaces, strengthen our legacy, and offer residents and visitors a more beautiful and well-maintained city.»
During the initial phase, carried out between 2023 and 2024, repair work was done on the overhang and facade, as well as cleaning the marble masks and the Pilar’s basin, which were damaged by vandalism. In March 2024, a second phase of intervention focused on artistic restoration, including the niche, the installation of an enhanced digital reproduction of the image of the Virgin of the Angustias, and the chromatic recovery of the whole.
The reproduction, based on the original painting preserved in the church of San Andrés, was digitally retouched to correct visual defects and enhance its pictorial richness before being printed on a specialized medium and protected with glass against ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, the original wrought ironwork and lanterns depicted in the 1873 painting by artist Mariano Fortuny were restored, equipped with a new warm lighting that simulates the flame of a candle. A general cleaning of the temple framing the niche was also carried out, restoring aesthetic coherence to the entire ensemble.
In June 2024, micro-excavations and chromatic analyses were conducted on the lateral panels and the niche, confirming the presence of the underlying original painting. These findings, along with documentary review, allowed for the definition of an authentic and coherent color palette with Fortuny’s work. At the end of the same year, the Department of Culture of the Andalusian Government, due to its status as a classified asset, granted official authorization to intervene on mural painting, wrought ironwork, and architectural elements.
All actions were carried out under the direction of a specialized restoration team, with a focus on quality and respect for the heritage environment. The location of the Pilar, in a historically and urbanistically valuable area, required careful execution. The digital image of the Virgin was installed on a protected technical support, and the electrical installation of the lanterns was integrated through hidden channels to preserve the original aesthetics without impacting the architectural environment.
Emasagra has achieved energy self-sufficiency in its operational facilities and completely renewed its fleet with electric vehicles, establishing itself as a benchmark in energy efficiency and sustainability, as highlighted by the City Council. This commitment is also reflected in the development of the 2024-2027 Works Plan, jointly promoted with the Granada City Council, which includes the renovation and modernization of the city’s hydraulic network. The goal is to reduce leaks, optimize infrastructure performance, and increase water resilience to climate change.
In this context, the Mayor expressed the local government’s desire for «a city prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow,» emphasizing the importance of having an efficient water network capable of addressing the effects of an increasingly demanding environment.