Tapestry returns to Spain 34 years on

A TAPESTRY stolen in 1979 from the Roda de Isabena (Huesca) Cathedral has been returned. The tapestry was recovered thanks to a Guardia Civil investigation which located it in Houston, Texas. The Spanish and North American authorities collaborated in the investigation, which also involved the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

An official act was held at the Spanish Embassy in Washington to return the tapestry known as ‘The Virgin and Saint Vincent’.

It was attended by the Head of the US Department of Immigration and Border Control, John Morton; the Head of the International Office of the US Department of Justice, Mary Ellen Warlow; the Head of the Guardia Civil Central Operative Unit, Colonel Pedro Ortega; the Director General of Fines Arts, Archives and Libraries of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, Jesus Prieto, and the Spanish Ambassador in Washington, Ramon Gil-Casares. 

The tapestry is being returned to Spain, guarded by Guardia Civil, who will hand it over to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

It will be kept at the Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute, where it will be examined to determine if any restoration is needed and how it should be properly conserved.