Tía Sandalia House Museum

In the last days of the Second Spanish Republic and also during the subsequent Spanish Civil War, many churches went up in flames and many religious images were also burned. A woman from a small town in La Mancha, who had never been to school and had no artistic training, took it upon herself to create new images so that her children could come to know God.

Sandalia Simón, born in Villacañas, dedicated her life to preserving her religious and spiritual beliefs. Piece by piece, she created a unique devotional museum using materials such as plaster, lime, tempera paints, cardboard, textiles, wire, and twigs.

Tía Sandalia (as she was also known) was a woman of strong character, with an unbeatable memory in body and soul, who was misunderstood and even outright rejected in the time in which she lived. She dedicated her life to capturing the religiousness and spirit that inspired her in shapes and colors, and she found no better place to do so than the walls and rooms of her home.

After her death, Sandalia’s work was bequeathed to the City Council and the School of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage of Madrid was responsible for its transfer, conservation, and installation in the current enclave.