Gothic Cathedral

The Barcelona Cathedral is one of the most important monuments of the catalan gothic architecture. Altough its construction begun at the end of the 12th century it wasn’t until the 19th century that it has been completed, by the architects Josep Oriol Mestres and August Font i Carreras, inspired by a 15th century drawing. It was built on the remains of an old Romanesque cathedral dated back from 1046, which itself  was built on a Visigothic church ruins preceeded by a paleochristian basilica whose remains can be seen at the Museum d´Història of the Ciutat.

The first buildings related to the Christianism in Barcelona seem to have been built back in the 4^th century. In 1046, the count Ramón Berenguer began the works of the Romanesque cathedral that was consacrated in the 1058. In 1298 the current Gothic cathedral works were inaugurated. The name of the person who designed it and began its construction is unknown. Most of the work dates back from the 14th century, continued then throughout the 15th and was stopped in the 16th century. The cathedral was practically abbandoned until the end of the 19th century. Once again the 1888 World Expo determined the city’s development and in 1882 Manuel Girona decided to fund the final construction work of the cathedral. The original project plans were still existing  and the work was based on it, but a Neo-gothic addition has been made to the facade, with the help of two architects (José Oriol Mestres and Augusto Font). The works on the facade ended in 1888.

The cathedral is dedicated to Santa Cruz and Santa Eulália, a 3rd century saint who was the first patron saint of Barcelona and who suffered Christian martyrdoms during Roman time. Her crypt is one of the most important features of the cathedral and an excellent example of gothic sculpture. In the cathedral’s cloister, a silent space with a pond and palm trees in the centre, there are always 13 white geese, like the ones she used to have in her Sarriá property; white for Eulália´s purity, and one for each year of her life before her martyrdom.

On the outside, horizontal structures and the simplification of the masses prevail. The external, extremely simple walls, are practically lacking of decoration to exception of some traced details. There two prismatic towers both from the 14th century; one has 9 bells and the other one a clock.

The basilica’s interior, formed by three naves of almost the same height, is sober and elegant. Its total size is of  93 x 40 meters. The main altar, 3 m long, is sustained by two capitals of the primitive Visigothic cathedral. Under the presbytery there is the crypt with a stairway access, containing the remains of Saint Eulalia.

The main nave is divided up into two lateral naves both forming individual chapels sponsored by different families and dedicated to their chosen saints. In total there are 17 chapels, along with the Romanesque chapel of Santa Llùcia (now incorporated into the cathedral complex) with a separate external access.

On the square in front of the cathedral different fairs and events take place during the year. Every Sunday older residents of Barcelona gather to dance the region’s traditional dance, the Sardana.

Opening hours:  Monday to Saturday, 13:15 to 16:30.Sundays, 14:00 to 17:15 h.

Group visits, previously arranged: Monday to Friday, of 9:00 to 12:00 h.

Price: General entrance: 4 € ; Reduced: 3 € (groups minimum 25 persons); 2,20 € (visit to Cubiertas); 1.80 € (group visits to Cubiertas); 2€ (visit to the Chorus); 1 € (visit to Sala Capitular and the Museum)