The Cross of the Oaths, located between the Archive of the Indies and the Cathedral, has regained its original colour following a preventive conservation intervention. The work included a water-repellent treatment that protects the jasper from environmental agents.
The emblematic Cross of the Oaths, situated on Fray Ceferino González Street, now displays the reddish tone and white veins of the jasper that characterise it. The City Council of Seville, through the Urban Planning Management, has completed a conservation intervention that has restored the original lustre to this 17th-century monument.
The work, coordinated by José de León, is part of the municipal contract for the conservation of public monuments 2024-2025. Initially, issues of vegetation and cracks in the pedestal were addressed, caused by moisture accumulation following last winter's storms.
A Pioneering Water-Repellent Treatment
The main achievement of the intervention has been the application of a reversible water-repellent treatment, used in historical heritage since 2019. This non-invasive product, compatible with the original material, has restored the chromatic richness of the jasper, which had lost its shine due to environmental exposure.
The Urban Planning delegate, Juan De la Rosa, emphasised that "we do not wait for monuments to show serious damage before intervening". The action included a detailed review and targeted cleanings, as the cross had not received maintenance since 2018.
The treatment now protects the stone against rain, bird droppings, and ultraviolet radiation. According to De la Rosa, "we have recovered the extraordinary beauty of the jaspers and reinforced their protection against the passage of time".
A Symbol of Trade in the Golden Age
Built in the 17th century, the Cross of the Oaths is much more than an urban ornament. During Seville's commercial peak, merchants sealed their agreements under this cross, whose oath symbolised the commitment between the parties. It is a testament to the economic activity and social life of modern Seville.
De la Rosa has highlighted that "the Cross of the Oaths is a living testimony of Seville's history, of its prominence in international trade during the Golden Age". The intervention is part of a programme that has already restored other monuments such as that of Luis Daoiz in Plaza de la Gavidia, Velázquez in Plaza del Duque, and the Immaculate of Triumph.
For the people of Seville and visitors, the cross is once again an aesthetic and historical reference point. The work has restored the splendour to a piece that, although it did not show serious deterioration, had lost some of its character to everyday observation.
The City Council plans to continue this strategy of preventive conservation on other monuments in the city. The Cross of the Oaths, a witness to commercial pacts, now shines as it did in its prime, reminding everyone of Seville's rich heritage.
You may also like
