Abandoned Romanesque Collegiate Church in Cantabria Locked and Overgrown

The Collegiate Church of San Martín de Elines, a Romanesque jewel in Cantabria, Spain, has been left locked and overgrown since the Bishopric of Santander took the key from the local community and entrusted it to a deacon. Residents and visitors, including artist Miguel Sobrino, have been unable to access the building, which is considered one of the most spectacular in northern Spain. The surrounding area is neglected, with weeds and makeshift paths, reflecting a broader issue of heritage abandonment. The church, which also contains pre-Romanesque remains, has been the subject of complaints from locals who say the deacon is never present. The situation has drawn attention to the need for better preservation and access to Spain's cultural heritage.