Holy Family statue breaks during removal from historic Fortaleza building

A Holy Family statue broke after falling approximately two meters from a crane during its removal from the facade of the historic Escola Jesus, Maria e José in downtown Fortaleza. The incident occurred on Thursday (17) during renovation works on the century-old building, which is a protected municipal heritage site.

The removal was being conducted by a company contracted by the Fortaleza City Hall through the Municipal Infrastructure Secretariat. The operation was intended to preserve the sculpture, which was at risk due to the deteriorating structural conditions of the building. While the statue was initially intended for the Fortaleza Metropolitan Cathedral, technical evaluations led to the decision to move it temporarily to the Catholic University of Fortaleza.

Built between 1902 and 1905, the Escola Jesus, Maria e José served as a charitable institution for orphans and poor children. The Archdiocese of Fortaleza emphasized the statue's deep historical and religious connection to the site, noting that the piece is an integral part of the building's memory and its original mission of Christian charity.