Major Conservation Project Launches

The restoration of Josep Maria Sert's large-scale mural paintings inside the Cathedral of Sant Pere de Vic will begin on Thursday 24 September 2026. The work, covering 1,897 square metres of frescoes and 3,730 square metres of architectural decoration, is one of the most complex conservation efforts in recent years. The project is led by the Spanish Ministry of Culture through the Institute for Cultural Heritage of Spain (IPCE) and forms part of the National Cathedral Plan. It will last 21 months and is funded with €1,858,000 from public investment.

Scope and Significance

Sert, a prominent Catalan artist, painted the murals between 1940 and 1945 following a fire in 1936 that damaged the cathedral at the start of the Spanish Civil War. The frescoes cover the perimeter walls of the cathedral’s central nave and include 37 major scenes. The restoration, to be carried out by the firm ARTYCO under IPCE supervision, aims to stabilise the painted layers and their structural support, enhance the legibility of the iconography, and unify the interior appearance of the temple. It will also preserve the tonal qualities of the artwork and ensure long-term conservation. The architectural elements surrounding the murals, including fluted pillars, classical entablatures, and transept balconies, will also be restored.

This is one of the most extensive and complex interventions in recent years.

, ARTYCO, restoration contractor

What This Means for Vic

Residents and visitors to Vic will be able to follow the progress of the restoration, which will take place within the active cathedral. The work is expected to conclude in mid-2028. For local cultural institutions and heritage professionals, the project represents a significant investment in preserving Catalonia’s 20th-century artistic legacy. Further details on public access and viewing arrangements during the works will be published by the Diocese of Vic.

Primary sources: transportes.gob.es. Reported by catalunyacristiana.cat, Junta de Contratación del Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte, Catedral de Vic, Catalunya Cristiana.