Sijena Monastery art restitution dispute

The dispute over the Sijena Monastery paintings involves ongoing efforts by the Government of Aragon to secure the return of murals removed in 1936. Aragon officials have characterized the original removal as an act of appropriation and have expressed frustration with what they describe as obstructive attitudes from certain Catalan sectors regarding the fulfillment of judicial rulings.

In October 2026, the transfer of profane paintings from the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) to Aragon was scheduled to begin following approval from the Huesca Heritage Commission. While the MNAC is covering the costs for this relocation, the status of the chapter house murals remains contested. The MNAC has raised technical concerns regarding potential physicochemical imbalances if the murals are moved, prompting a request for the Minister of Culture to evaluate technical studies. The Aragon government maintains that the technical conditions for both sets of paintings are equivalent.