The church was consecrated by Ramon de Roda, Bishop of Roda-Barbastro, on December 11, 1123.
Original frescoes were detached in 1919 and transported to Barcelona to prevent deterioration and potential sale to foreign collectors.
The interior reproduction uses a projection-mapping technique to simulate the original colors and lighting of the medieval murals.
The church's architecture is built of local granite stone, characteristic of the high-altitude Pyrenees environment.
The floor plan is a classic basilica design, which was unusual for the small chapels typically found in the region during the 12th century.
Santa Maria de Taüll is a 12th-century Romanesque church located in the Boí Valley, designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was consecrated in 1123, one day after its neighbor, Sant Climent de Taüll. The structure features a three-aisled nave with a barrel vault and an iconic three-apse chevet. While the original mural paintings were removed in the early 20th century to protect them, the interior now features a high-quality reproduction of the Pantocrator and other original iconographic motifs. The building served as the parish church for the town of Taüll for centuries. It remains a primary example of Lombard Romanesque influence in the Pyrenees. Its bell tower is a five-story structure decorated with blind arches and Lombard bands. The site is managed by the Centre del Romànic de la Vall de Boí, which oversees the regional architectural heritage.
From the Plaça Santa Maria looking up at the bell tower against the backdrop of the valley mountains.
Purchase a combined ticket that includes entry to other Romanesque churches in the Boí Valley for better value.
Visit the MNAC museum in Barcelona if you wish to see the original 12th-century murals removed from the apse.
Walk the short path between Santa Maria and Sant Climent to compare the different architectural interpretations of the same period.
Attempting to visit during religious services if the church is being used for community ceremonies, as access may be restricted.
Operating hours follow a seasonal schedule, with extended availability during summer months and reduced hours during the winter low season.
Maintain a quiet tone inside the sanctuary; remove hats and refrain from photography if local signage indicates restrictions.
