Nazi cross graffiti defaces Maimónides statue in Córdoba, Spain

A Nazi‑styled cross was painted on the base of the bronze statue of the medieval philosopher Maimónides in the Plaza de Tiberíades, the heart of Córdoba’s historic Judería. The vandalism was discovered early on Saturday, 1 August, and municipal waste services (Sadeco) confirmed that the graffiti will be removed on Monday, 3 August, after specialist cleaning equipment is brought in.

The statue, created by sculptor Amadeo Ruiz Olmos and inaugurated on 7 June 1964, is one of the most visited monuments in the Jewish quarter. Local officials noted that similar anti‑Jewish graffiti has appeared in the area before, including Nazi symbols in 2007 and other defacements in 2002. The incident has drawn attention from tourists and residents, prompting calls for vigilance against hate‑motivated vandalism.

Authorities described the act as “product of ignorance” and emphasized that the cleaning will be complex because the paint is on stone. The city plans to restore the monument to its original condition once the work is completed.