Valle’s religious heritage enters critical phase as 17 church domes face demolition

Seventeen church domes in Colombia’s Valle del Cauca face demolition after a recent earthquake left them severely damaged and at risk of collapse. The decision has placed the department’s religious heritage in what authorities describe as a critical phase.

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We have to demolish them, and the demolition must be carried out by expert personnel. That is why we brought in people who have supported us, including a company from Antioquia, because those domes could collapse.

Governor Dilian Francisca Toro said the structures require specialized handling because they belong to colonial and republican-era churches. She said expert personnel had been brought in for the work, with support from an Antioquia-based company.

The danger has also disrupted nearby commercial areas. Safety cordons around the churches have closed spaces that normally help activate central plazas and local businesses. Toro said the domes could fall and that demolition had already begun.

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Another thing that has affected us greatly is that 17 church domes have been damaged. We are demolishing them, and that is also work we are carrying out.

Emergency machinery will support work in 15 municipalities: Andalucía, Ansermanuevo, Bugalagrande, Caicedonia, Dagua, La Cumbre, La Unión, La Victoria, Palmira, Roldanillo, San Pedro, Versalles, Vijes, Yotoco and Yumbo. The schedule also includes the demolition of a municipal government building.

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Roldanillo outdoors.

The departmental government is preparing measures to limit the economic impact of the closures. In Roldanillo, officials plan to install commercial containers under a project called “Roldanillo al aire libre,” or “Roldanillo outdoors.” Toro said the goal was to prevent the loss of jobs while reconstruction and safety work continue.

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We cannot let employment disappear.