A stunning free light show comes to the Veruela Monastery for the first time

The Veruela Monastery church will become a space for visual and sensorial experimentation over the weekend of May 17 and 18 with “Astra. Light and Movement in the Monastery,” an immersive installation by artist Gustavo Omedes.

For the first time, the architecture of this iconic 12th-century monument , considered a true gem of Cistercian Romanesque architecture, will be the setting for the “Astra” lighting intervention. The show, designed exclusively for this space and offered for that weekend only, aims to showcase this unique setting through a visual and sensorial interplay of light and shadow that connects history and innovation, past and present, transforming its most iconic architectural elements.

The intervention, which will cover the church’s dome and central nave with an immersive project measuring 70 m2 and 20 meters high , will also be accompanied by the music of Pedro Bueno. This artist, who has specialized in music technology for more than three decades, has also directed renowned projects such as Sontic Digital School, the Xprésate Advanced Professional Music School, and the “Sónar Sound Trip.”

Admission to the show is free, and screenings will be held in the morning and afternoon throughout the weekend. Each screening, lasting approximately 15 minutes, invites visitors to discover a new way of inhabiting and observing space, creating a unique sensory experience. It’s also the perfect opportunity to discover the other buildings that make up the monastery, such as its Levantine Gothic cloister, and enjoy the area’s tourist attractions, such as the Moncayo Natural Park or some of Aragon’s most beautiful villages, such as Tarazona.

This proposal is part of the Veruela Estival program, promoted by the Zaragoza Provincial Council to offer activities for all audiences at the Veruela Monastery.

GUSTAVO OMEDES: LIGHT IN MOTION

After his participation in Zaragoza Luce, artist Gustavo Omedes repeats his experience and will be the creator of this creation that combines art and heritage. A renowned lighting designer and programmer with over twenty years of experience in the performing and audiovisual arts, he has worked on theater productions, international shows, and major events such as Cirque du Soleil in Ibiza and the prestigious Puy du Fou.

He has also designed lighting for concerts and tours for artists such as Enrique Bunbury, Love of Lesbian, and Amaral. More recently, in 2024, he presented a lighting piece at the Luce Festival in Zaragoza, consolidating his presence on the national art scene.

His work stands out for the sensitivity with which he uses light as a narrative language, and for his ability to create immersive atmospheres that transform the stage or architectural space. Now, in “ASTRA,” Omedes proposes an intervention that not only illuminates but also establishes a dialogue with the monastery’s architecture, respecting its essence and offering a new way of viewing and inhabiting this ancient space.