A dispute has emerged in the Spanish town of Albox over new frescoes painted inside the Sanctuary of El Saliente, a prominent pilgrimage site in the province of Almeria. The paintings, created by artist Andrés García Ibáñez as part of a seven-year restoration completed during the church’s recent reconsecration, have drawn criticism for allegedly depicting local political figures in a controversial manner.

The frescoes, inspired by scenes from the Book of Revelation, include figures that some residents say closely resemble town officials. In particular, one figure bearing a strong likeness to María del Mar Alfonso, Albox’s current conservative mayor, appears prominently in a biblical tableau, while another figure is said to recall her deputy. Most notably, a horned devil depicted beneath the Archangel Michael is claimed to resemble Francisco Torrecillas, the mayor who served from 2016 to 2023 and represents the left-wing opposition.

Torrecillas expressed discomfort with the portrayal during an interview with Telecinco, describing the depiction as “not pleasant.” He stated, “When you have been in public life, sometimes these things happen. I don’t consider myself a demon, nor do I think I look like one.” His concerns follow earlier involvement with the sanctuary’s governing board, where he questioned aspects of the frescoes’ design—including objection to initial sketches featuring nude figures—and raised issues about project funding.

The ruling Socialists have questioned why members of the current local government are shown in a favorable light while the former mayor appears as a demonic figure. Meanwhile, García Ibáñez has rejected any suggestion that his work includes likenesses of specific individuals. In comments to a regional newspaper, he denied that either Mayor Alfonso or Torrecillas served as models, calling the claims “a hoax spread for political interests.” The artist further stated that the devil figure was modeled after his son and dismissed the controversy as “absurd.”

Apart from the political dispute, the frescoes have also sparked debate due to the inclusion of nudity, earning comparisons from some locals to the provocative cover of the 1980s Spanish magazine Interviu. Despite these controversies, the Sanctuary of El Saliente remains one of the area’s key religious landmarks, and its restoration—including the contentious frescoes—marks a significant event for the town of Albox.