Segovia Council Files Complaint Over Stone Removal
Background of the Incident
On Saturday, June 12, the Municipal Council of Segovia lodged a formal grievance against an American resident, Glenn Murray. Murray allegedly removed a granite block from the city’s renowned Roman aqueduct and posted it online, offering it for sale at €1,000.
Murray’s Motive and Public Response
- The act was described as a protest against the years of neglect affecting the aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Murray claimed he intended to donate the proceeds to a charity chosen by the buyer.
- He asserted that the block had already fallen from the structure and that he simply retrieved it, sharing videos to demonstrate its loose condition.
Specifications of the Granite Block
According to the post, the granite block weighs 17.3 kilograms and measures 25 x 22 x 15 centimeters. The online listing called it a “unique opportunity to acquire an authentic stone from the Segovia Aqueduct.”
Upcoming Legal Actions
The council has begun a legal investigation and is expected to pursue the matter through the Spanish judicial system.
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Controversy Over Removed Stone at Segovia’s Aqueduct
Segovia’s Urban Planning Councilor Alejandro Gonzalez has clarified that the stone in question was not dropped from the aqueduct itself, but was “torn off” from a masonry wall in the nearby Plaza de Avendano. The council asserts that the block did not originate from the main aqueduct structure but from the protected Roman historic site’s surrounding wall.
Recovery Order and Legal Action
- Murray has been instructed to return the stone to the Provincial Museum for conservation and possible restoration.
- The case has been forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office as a potential heritage crime.
- The regional government of Castile y Leon has been notified of a probable serious heritage law violation.
Public Attention and Murray’s Critique
Murray has long argued that the aqueduct’s protection is inadequate. He has pointed out the absence of signage that would discourage visitors from leaning on the structure, the lack of barriers that prevent vehicles from approaching too closely, and the tolerance of outdoor drinking parties (botellones) at its base. Murray claims these activities accelerate the aqueduct’s deterioration and that his own actions were designed to raise public awareness of the problem.
Glenn Murray honoured by Queen Sofia of Spain
Glenn Murray received a prestigious award from Queen Sofia of Spain. The accolade was presented in Segovia, a city where Murray has devoted decades to revitalise a historic monument: the Segovia Mint.
Background of the Segovia Mint
- Born in Los Angeles in 1952, Murray relocated to Spain in 1987 to examine the abandoned mint building.
- He secured research grants from the American Numismatic Association and Spain’s national mint, enabling comprehensive study at the Simancas and National Historical Archives.
- His 2004 doctoral thesis confirmed that the hydraulic mint built by Philip II in 1583 was the oldest, most sophisticated, and best-preserved example worldwide.
A Legacy of Preservation
- In 1993, Murray founded the Friends of the Segovia Mint Association.
- By 2000, the association successfully campaigned for the mint to be declared a Site of Cultural Interest, opening the way for stabilisation work.
- In 2005 a restoration agreement was signed, culminating in 2011—nearly 25 years after Murray began his campaign.
Current Legal Concerns
Despite his celebrated heritage work, Glenn Murray faces possible criminal charges. The case has sparked debate in Segovia over how this iconic landmark is protected.
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