Researcher reintroduces Pyrenean sounds to romanesque paintings at MNAC

Researcher and cultural programmer Ona Balló created a sound installation at the Museu Nacional de Catalunya to accompany Romanesque paintings.

The project aims to restore the auditory environment that originally surrounded these artworks during their time in the Pyrenees, a mountain range in the Catalonia region of Spain. The installation, titled El viaje inverso, uses a circular soundscape to guide visitors through the preserved frescoes of six churches.

These include Santa Maria d’Àneu, Sant Pere del Burgal, Santa Maria de Ginestarre, Sant Pau, Sant Pere d’Esterri de Cardós, Santa Maria de Taüll, and Santa Eulàlia d’Estaon. The audio recreates the natural sounds of the landscape, such as wind and rivers, alongside liturgical elements like chants and sermons. Visitors can experience this 23 minute journey until 30 April 2027.

The museum offers the experience at specific times throughout the week to help viewers connect with the historical atmosphere of the Pyrenean paintings.