MNAC Defies Supreme Court Order to Return 12th-Century Sijena Murals to Monastery
The 12th-century Sijena murals remain at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) in Barcelona, despite a ruling from the Spanish Supreme Court in May 2025 mandating their return to the Royal Monastery of Sijena. These artworks, which suffered damage during the Spanish Civil War, have been part of MNAC's collection since 1961. The museum did not meet the one-month deadline set by the court, explaining the necessity of evaluating the murals' condition. In November 2025, controversy erupted when lawyer Jorge Español attempted to halt a Rosalía concert, concerned about vibrations damaging the murals. MNAC director Pepe Serra rejected these worries, resulting in threats of a defamation lawsuit. Reports from August and September 2025 indicated potential risks of deterioration if the murals were moved.
Key facts
- The Spanish Supreme Court ordered MNAC to return the Sijena murals to the Royal Monastery of Sijena in May 2025.
- MNAC missed the court's one-month deadline, citing the need to evaluate the artworks' condition.
- The 12th-century Romanesque murals were painted by an anonymous artist for the monastery's chapter house.
- The murals were badly damaged during the Spanish Civil War and moved to Barcelona in 1936.
- They have been on public display at MNAC since 1961 in a climate-controlled section of the Oval Hall.
- In November 2025, lawyer Jorge Español tried to cancel a Rosalía concert in the Oval Hall over vibration concerns.
- MNAC director Pepe Serra's comments about the concert led to defamation threats and a demand for €90,000.
- ICCROM's September 2025 report advised a comprehensive risk assessment before relocating the murals.
Entities
Artists
- anonymous artist (12th century)
- Rosalía
- Pepe Serra
- Jorge Español
- Pedro Olloqui
Institutions
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
- Royal Monastery of Sijena
- Spanish Supreme Court
- Municipality of Villanueva de Sijena
- Catalonia regional government
- Barcelona city council
- ICCROM
- The Art Newspaper
- National Art Museum of Catalonia
- Royal Monastery
Locations
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Aragón
- Royal Monastery of Sijena
- Villanueva de Sijena
- Rome
- Catalonia
- Aragon
- Sijena Monastery