The future of the medieval murals from the Sijena monastery has once again become a focal point of public attention in Spain. This time, the authorities of Catalonia and Barcelona have proposed an unusual step: to organize an international symposium in order to develop a scientifically sound solution regarding the possible relocation of the unique 12th-century frescoes.
A judge from Huesca presiding over the case on the return of the murals has received a joint technical report from the government of Catalonia and the Barcelona city council. The document emphasizes the need to involve leading experts from around the world in the discussion. The authors of the report believe that only an open scientific dialogue will make it possible to reach a consensus on whether the ancient frescoes can withstand relocation from Barcelona to Los Monegros.
The initiative recalls the events of 1998, when the fate of Picasso’s painting ‘Guernica’ was discussed at an international level. At that time, experts concluded that moving the masterpiece was too risky. Now, a similar approach is being proposed for the Sijena murals, which, according to specialists, are considered even more fragile than Picasso’s famous canvas.
The report, signed by two leading restorers, notes that a thorough risk assessment is necessary before making any decisions. However, there is very little time for such research, as the situation is under pressure from a court ruling. The government of Aragón insists on the return of the frescoes within seven months, while the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) maintains that even a year and a half is the minimum period needed for safe preparation. According to museum staff, any relocation could cause irreversible damage to the eight-hundred-year-old works.
The document also states that if the analysis shows a high risk to the paintings, the authorities should consider alternative options to preserve the cultural heritage. In particular, it suggests not moving the frescoes if it could result in their loss, and instead seeking other ways to provide access to them.
In recent weeks, MNAC has submitted another set of documents to the court, arguing that transporting the paintings is impossible due to their extreme fragility. Meanwhile, the Spanish Ministry of Culture chose not to participate in preparing expert assessments, even though it is formally part of the museum’s board of trustees. This has caused confusion among representatives of both Catalonia and Aragón, who believe that ministry experts should be involved in evaluating the situation.
The question of returning the Sijena murals remains unresolved. The decision will depend not only on the judge’s opinion but also on whether experts can reach a consensus on how to preserve this unique monument. For now, the fate of the frescoes hangs between legal requirements and the need to carefully protect cultural heritage.
