“The paint (used for graffiti) was oil-based. This means that there was a considerable amount of damage to medieval stonework, and the state trusts are working to correct this,” police said.
Following Sunday's incident, Sergeant Danny Copperwheat from North Yorkshire Police described the incident as “a horrifying act of vandalism in a world-famous heritage.”
“We are deeply saddened by the vandalism to this special place,” said General Manager of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Justin Scully.
“Sadly, we sometimes see vandalism in historical locations nationwide, which is unprecedented at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
Scully said the National Trust is working with British heritage to “limit the impact of graffiti.”
He added: “We are currently assessing whether a professional contractor should remove it as soon as possible without further damage to the stonework.”
Fountains Abbey is one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Yorkshire. The other is Saltier near Bradford.
The monastery's ruins are the largest species in the country, dating back to 1132, when 32 monks left St. Mary's Abbey in York to establish a new community.
The monastery was disbanded by King Henry VIII in 1539, and the crown sold the property to the merchant Richard Gresham before it was eventually handed over to Sir Richard Gresham to the state trust.
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