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An architectural face-lift at one of Spain’s oldest and most famous late-Gothic hotels has spiraled into an international scandal and a breeding ground for savage jokes.

The public and experts alike have accused restorers of creating a "sodomized" gargoyle. In response, the lead architect of the project, Fernando Cobos, bluntly fired back that his critics need to see a therapist, NYP reports.

The fierce controversy surrounds the historic Hostal dos Reis Católicos building in Santiago de Compostela. This former early 16th-century hospital, located directly opposite the city's famous cathedral, now operates as a luxury five-star hotel.

As part of a massive renovation, Cobos’ team upgraded 16 historic gargoyles and rainspouts to protect the facade from heavy rains eroding the ancient stone. However, the method chosen by the architects left the public in absolute shock:

• Copper downspouts were installed directly into the rear ends of the stone figures.

• One of the most talked-about sculptures depicts a naked crouching man with a massive copper pipe literally protruding from his lower body to drain rainwater.

Online, the project was instantly dubbed "the world's worst restoration," with critics, artists, and historians rushing to use terms like "sodomization," "impalement," and an architectural "colonoscopy."

The Architect’s Response: "I’m a Designer, Not a Shrink"

Speaking at a lecture for the Galicia Association of Architects, Fernando Cobos categorically rejected the backlash, calling the uproar a "ridiculous farce" fueled solely by the public's dirty minds.

"All this noise started just because the buttocks are visible," Cobos stated. "If you see a sodomized gargoyle where there is just a standard drain spout, there’s not much I can do to help you. I’m an architect, not a psychiatrist."

According to Cobos, integrating the copper tubes was the "lesser of two evils." The architect insists it was the only technically sound compromise capable of efficiently channeling water away and saving the unique decor of the 500-year-old building from final erosion.

Authorities Seek a Fix

Despite the project author's confidence, locals, conservation groups, and the Galicia Association for the Defense of Historical Heritage have labeled the restoration an "eyesore" and a sign of extreme disrespect toward a national monument.

Amid the relentless wave of criticism, the regional government of Galicia has officially announced that relevant departments are already reviewing alternative engineering solutions. It is highly likely that the controversial copper pipes will be completely dismantled in the near future.

Cobos himself remains skeptical of the move: "Sure, you can divert the water elsewhere. But it will cost an immense amount of money, and in the end, it’s the historic building itself that will pay the price."

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