The building's exterior was adorned with numerous statues of saints placed within niches, showcasing their religious significance. However, these figures had suffered significant damage due to gunfire from American soldiers who used them for target practice. The violence inflicted upon these sacred images is a stark representation of the brutality of war.
As a result of the gunfire, the saints were left disfigured, lacking ears and noses, and their once pristine stone surfaces became marred with dark spots from lead projectiles. This imagery illustrates not only the physical destruction wrought upon the building but also serves as a commentary on the loss of reverence for spirituality amidst the chaos of conflict.