Protests Erupt Over Sijena Murals During Aragon Team's Inspection Process
The 13th-century Romanesque murals from the Sijena Monastery, often referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of Romanesque Art," are set for a return to their original location in Huesca, Aragon, after being housed at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) in Barcelona for nearly a century[1].
The move, ordered by Spain's Supreme Court, has sparked protests from the Catalan National Assembly and local political figures, who argue that the murals belong to Catalan Romanesque heritage. The latest demonstration took place outside MNAC on Monday morning, joined by figures such as Laura Borràs and Lluís Llach[2].
As the court's ruling enforces the return, specialists from Aragon are currently inspecting the murals at MNAC to ensure a safe transfer back to the monastery[2]. This inspection will continue through Wednesday, with the team using photogrammetry to assess the murals' condition and viability for transport[2].
Museum officials remain adamant that relocating the more delicate frescoes, especially those salvaged from the chapter house, could cause irreversible damage[3]. MNAC has submitted filings warning the court of the risks and is expected to formally contest the execution order on conservation grounds.
The key issues now center on the physical risk to the murals given their fragility, the cultural and political tensions between regional identities, and the future conservation and display plans once the murals are back at the Sijena Monastery[1]. The fate of the core murals, already mounted, reconstructed, and climate-protected, remains uncertain, caught between the judicial mandate and the limits of preservation.
The Romanesque murals were removed from the Sijena Monastery in 1936 after a fire during the Spanish Civil War[4]. The court found that the original religious order had never lawfully transferred ownership of the murals[4]. MNAC is proposing a phased approach, starting with sturdier works removed in the 1960s.
The Aragonese team entered the museum discreetly through a side entrance[5]. Fewer than 50 demonstrators gathered for the protest[5]. The court's ruling concludes more than a decade of litigation over the murals[6]. As the process remains delicate due to the murals' condition and the underlying regional disputes, the future of these medieval treasures hangs in the balance.
[1] El Pais, "The 13th-century Romanesque murals from the Sijena Monastery are to return to their original location," 2022. [2] The Art Newspaper, "Protest as Spain's Supreme Court orders return of 13th-century murals from MNAC," 2022. [3] The Local, "Catalonia protests as Spain's Supreme Court orders return of 13th-century murals," 2022. [4] BBC News, "Spain's Supreme Court orders return of Romanesque murals to Aragon," 2022. [5] La Vanguardia, "Aragonese team inspects the murals at MNAC," 2022. [6] The Art Newspaper, "The fate of the Sijena murals: a decade of litigation," 2022.
- The 13th-century Romanesque murals, often compared to the Sistine Chapel of Romanesque Art, are at the center of a cultural-travel debate, as they are set to return to their original location in Huesca, Aragon, after being housed in the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) for nearly a century.
- The move, initiated by Spain's Supreme Court, has stirred protests from Catalan nationalists and local political figures, who claim these murals are part of Catalan Romantic heritage and argue against their relocation.
- Despite the court's ruling, museum officials are concerned about the potential damage to the delicately restored frescoes during transportation, particularly those from the chapter house, leading them to formally contest the execution order on conservation grounds.
- The return of these medieval treasures, firmly rooted in the general-news realm due to the ongoing disputes between regional identities, jurisdictional complexities, and the sacredness of war-and-conflicts history, will have a significant impact on Spain's lifestyle and the broader artistic and political landscapes.
