Eleiz Museoa and the Baroque Heritage of Bizkaia: The Trucíos Altarpiece Restoration
Visitors exploring sacred heritage in Bilbao and the surrounding province of Bizkaia can gain a deeper appreciation of regional craftsmanship through recent conservation efforts. The meticulous preservation work completed on the altarpiece of the Virgen del Amor Hermoso—located in the parish church of San Pedro de Romaña in Trucíos—highlights the intricate history embedded in local ecclesiastical art.
Exploring Baroque Craftsmanship and Earlier Legacies
Originally crafted between 1680 and 1684, this magnificent Baroque altarpiece is the creation of sculptor Francisco Martínez, with polychromy executed by Pedro Bernales. Both artists originated from Cantabria, reflecting a period of active artistic exchange across neighboring regions in Bizkaia.
The structure itself displays quintessential Baroque characteristics of its era, featuring twisting Solomonic columns, carved vines, elaborate foliage, and large fleurons. While the accompanying carvings also date to the Baroque period of the 18th century, a notable exception is the central Crucifixion figure. This piece dates back to the late Gothic period around 1525, suggesting it may have survived from an earlier altarpiece predating the main structure.
Behind the Conservation Process
Carried out by the restoration specialists at Áurea, the preservation project involved stabilizing the overall structure, careful surface cleaning, and the removal of later layers of repainting. Conservators also reconstructed lost volumes and carefully repolychromed areas that had faded or been erased over time.
This detailed intervention was made possible through institutional collaboration, supported by funding from the Department of Culture of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia alongside contributions from the Town Council of Trucíos.
To plan your visit and discover more sacred art, installations, and cultural spots across the city, you can explore the Bilbao museums guide, check current listings on Musemap, or view the interactive city map.
