Despite being one of the oldest constructions in the city, the Barcelona Cathedral is often eclipsed by Gaudí’s famous Sagrada Família.
But hold on!
The temple that today occupies our time conceals eight centuries of history inside its stones.
And many unusual features will captivate the visitor.
You will find it in the Gothic Quarter, where the pinnacles of the Barcelona Cathedral proudly dominate the downtown skyline.
Would you like to discover the mysteries that this impressive church hides?
Let’s go through them together!
The History of the Barcelona Cathedral
The seat of the archbishop of the city, the Barcelona Cathedral is also known as Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, or La Seu, in Catalan.
In English: Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia.
It started to be built in the Romanesque period, in 1298.
However, the last stone of the main building was set in the XV century, when the Gothic style dominated the architecture.
The king, James II (Jaume II), ordered the construction of the Barcelona Cathedral in the same place where a Romanesque temple had existed.
Even though the main building was finished earlier, the façade had to wait.
Yes, it was designed in the XV century.
But it was not until the XIX century that the work could be continued, finishing as well the lantern tower at the beginning of the XX century.
Going through all these modifications, the final result is what we can see today.
Situated in the Gothic Quarter, a district that you can discover with us, it attracts millions of people yearly.
This relevant religious temple fascinates everyone because of its impressive façade, and because of all the mysteries that it hides.
What to see in the Barcelona Cathedral: essentials
The Barcelona Cathedral has become, over time, more than a place of worship.
With its façade, the cloister, and legends around it, magic wraps every visitor.
One of the most relevant temples in town, its importance is equated to that of the Sagrada Família.
Here is what to see on your visit.
The façade
It is one of the most notorious features of the Barcelona Cathedral.
It was built later than the rest of the building, and you will notice it.
The main body of the church is constructed in a Romanesque style, while the façade is fully Gothic.
The impressive 70 m high tower and pinnacles are captivating.
The sculptures are religious images, such as apostles, prophets, and archangels.
The façade was created based on a document from 1408, but at that time, there was no budget to work on it.
The inside of the Barcelona Cathedral
Entering through the main door, you will soon notice a diaphanous space, with slim pillars that sustain the structure.
It is a typical feature of the Catalan architecture.
This is one of the few churches in the city that was not broken into during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939).
Due to this, the interior elements are mostly the originals.
Of high relevance is the sarcophagus of Saint Eulalia, the patron saint of the city and the martyr to whom the cathedral is dedicated.
On the other hand, the chapels inside the temple cannot be missed either.
One of the most popular is the one dedicated to Christ of Lepanto.
You will find there the cross of John of Austria galley.
It was the flagship of the maritime force that fought in the Lepanto battle, in 1517.
Once you have seen the chapels and enjoyed the interior of the building, you can take the lift to the cathedral’s terraces.
Do not miss the views!
The cloister, the geese, and the egg
The whole building and neighborhood are worth visiting.
And we can take you on a tour to discover them!
But one of the most popular parts of the Barcelona Cathedral is its cloister.
From the inside of the temple, it opens to a pleasant space, full of peace, trees, and a pond.
But what surprises me the most are the 13 geese.
And we do not mean statues!
These birds live in the cloister because they symbolize the age of Saint Eulalia when she passed away.
Other things that draw attention in the middle of the garden are the water fountain and the Saint George statue.
During the celebration of Corpus Christi, an egg is placed over the fountain to see how it moves, embraced by the water.
This responds to an old tradition called “ou com balla”, which means “how the egg dances”.
Discover the surroundings of the Barcelona Cathedral
The Sagrada Família is a renowned UNESCO’s list temple, but the Barcelona Cathedral is also worth a visit.
A visit to the church and the neighborhood!
When you have finished in the church, do not go yet.
Weekly, a Catalan dance known as Sardana is performed in the little square in front of the building.
It consists of people dancing in a hand-in-hand circle to the rhythm of a small orchestra.
If you find Sardanes, join and experience the traditional dance!
In the same square, if you visit the city at Christmastime, the traditional Santa Llúcia fair will be ready to delight you.
And, if you want to discover more of the surrounding area, visit Les Rambles, the Palau de la Música Catalana, or the nearby Basilica Santa Maria del Mar. The city has a lot of things to offer you, and including the Barcelona Cathedral in your visit is more than worth it!
