The Reverse Journey. A Sound Fresco through Romanesque Art at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) in Barcelona, Spain, addresses the sensory gap created when medieval murals were separated from their original architecture. The project, led by researcher Ona Balló, integrates site-specific soundscapes into the Romanesque galleries, attempting to reconnect the paintings with their lost Pyrenean surroundings.

The itinerary focuses on several major mural cycles, including those from Santa Maria d’Àneu and Sant Pere del Burgal. Contemporary recordings of mountain winds, rural life, and valley acoustics are played alongside the permanent displays, layering the physical history of the frescoes with the intangible atmosphere of the churches they once occupied. The sound functions as a temporary restoration of the context lost during the early 20th-century preservation efforts.

This intervention serves as a dialogue between the current reality of the Pyrenean villages and the monumental objects preserved in Barcelona. By reintroducing sound to these silent rooms, the exhibition provides a context for the displacement of the murals, inviting visitors to consider how the original environment defined the spiritual and social function of the art. It challenges the sterile museum experience by treating acoustic memory as a vital part of heritage.

A sensory, atmospheric addition to the Romanesque galleries, perfect for those who want to experience Catalonia's medieval history beyond the visual surface.

Access to this sound itinerary is included with the general admission to the museum; check the museum website for specific schedules of guided listening tours.