Sons del patrimoni cultural: paisatge sonor i arquitectura dels espais sagrats de Catalunya

“Sons del patrimoni cultural: paisatge sonor i arquitectura dels espais sagrats de Catalunya” continues the research initiated in the project “Sons als monestirs: studying the soundscape of sacred spaces in Catalonia.” In the earlier phase, we explored the Monastery of Pedralbes through a sound walk, documenting its acoustic qualities and the role of sound in shaping spiritual experience [1].
Building on this foundation, the new project expands the scope to other sacred sites, with a particular focus on the interplay between sound, cultural heritage, and architecture. By studying a minimum of two other monasteries (and then comparing the results with those obtained in the Monastery of Pedralbes in the previous project), we aim to investigate how architectural design influences acoustic perception and how soundscapes—both historical and contemporary—form part of the intangible heritage of these spaces. While the relationship between soundscapes and cultural heritage has been acknowledged in recent studies [2], this project advances the field by focusing specifically on sacred contexts, and more precisely on Catholic monastic environments. Monasteries exemplify a unique category of acoustic environment, where architecture, landscape, and silence intertwine to foster an environment conducive to contemplation.
The working methodology of the project will combine field recordings (audio and acoustics group team members), acoustic analysis (speech and signal processing team members), architectural (architecture department team members) and historical research (Blanquerna Comunicació) to reconstruct and interpret the sonic memory of monastic spaces in Catalonia. We will document soundscapes using citizen science collected data and research how to map them onto architectural features, seeking to highlight how sound functions not only as an environmental phenomenon but also as a cultural and spiritual resource.
In addition to scholarly outputs, the project will develop innovative forms of public engagement and dissemination. Specifically, at least two soundwalks will allow broader audiences to experience and reflect on the acoustic heritage of sacred architecture. Ultimately, this research underscores the significance of sound in the preservation, understanding, and reactivation of cultural heritage.
[1] Vidaña-Vila, E. Aline Ramos Esperidião, Marc Freixes, Joan Cabó Rodríguez, Alfredo Iarozinski Neto and Rosa Ma Alsina-Pagès. (2025). Citizen science to analyse the relationship between sounds and spirituality in a monastery. Forum Acusticum 2025. June 23-26 (2025). Málaga, Spain.
[2] Bartalucci, C., & Luzzi, S. (2020, November). The soundscape in cultural heritage. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 949, No. 1, p. 012050). IOP Publishing.