Ancient murals now open to public

Catalonia has a rich history in art that goes back millennia. As with much of Europe, much of artistic prowess was relegated to the sphere of religion – but it’s also here that some of the most incredible painting can be found. And the Monastery of Pedralbes is a perfect example of that.

Inside, visitors will find mural paintings from gothic times, the prevalent style in art and architecture during the Middle Ages. They’re open to the public after having been partially restored, the product of years of work. This consisted primarily in cleaning the frescoes and removing the substances it had been covered with.

According to experts, the paintings are not only valuable for the mere fact of their age – they are “crucial” in showing an interesting transition into the Renaissance period, said the technical head of the restauration, Lídia Font. What’s more, “original paint that was under older layers of paint” has been recovered, added Font.

The images depict the Virgin Mary and the passion of the Christ. Since the restauration, hidden details have been revealed: faux architecture, framing the scenes as if they were in a window, shadow work, and the intensity of the blue hues, a rarity for paintings of their time.

Curious to see this ancient treasure for yourself? It’s in Barcelona, and the nunnery includes a cloister, chapel, and a museum.