Romanesque Walls and Murals Uncovered in Andorra Church Renovation

Renovation work at Sant Martí de la Cortinada church has uncovered remnants of its original Romanesque walls, fragments of mural paintings, and evidence suggesting an earlier origin for one of its lateral chapels, prompting a reassessment of the building's construction history.

The conservation and architectural lighting project, overseen by the Department of Cultural Heritage in partnership with a contracted firm, revealed these features during the dismantling of the roof framing to replace the tiling. Workers documented the upper sections of walls believed to belong to the original Romanesque church, along with traces of wall paintings and construction details from the lateral chapels of the modern period.

Cinta Pujal, head of the Cultural Heritage area, described the findings as "very valuable and interesting" for understanding the temple's successive expansions. Archaeologist Abel Fortó highlighted a key discovery: the lateral chapel attached to the west wall, previously attributed to the modern era, appears to date from the same phase as the bell tower in the second half of the 12th century. Fortó called this potential Romanesque attribution "exceptional," though it awaits confirmation through analysis of mortar samples and other materials collected on site.

Officials have described the overall discovery as "rare and exceptional," advancing knowledge of the church's structural evolution.

The broader restoration includes exterior rehabilitation, improved perimeter drainage to combat dampness, repair of a crack in a lateral chapel vault, interior repainting with lime-based paint, upgrades to electrical and heating systems, and a new waterproof roof covering.

Movable items such as the main altarpiece, chapel altarpieces, and altars are undergoing restoration in the Ministry of Culture's workshop and will be reinstalled once work concludes.

The initiative aligns with the Strategic Cultural Plan 2030's focus on reviewing Romanesque heritage and supports the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports' efforts to preserve sites tied to Andorra's transnational UNESCO candidacy, "Material Witnesses to the Construction of the Pyrenean State: the Co-Principality of Andorra."