Description

Essentials about Barcelona Cathedral in brief

In the middle of the Gothic old town district Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) the Barcelona Cathedral rises. The imposing building is also called La Seu and is dedicated to the patron saint of Barcelona, Santa Eulalia. A visit to the cathedral is not only a must for church lovers, because from the roof of the church you can enjoy a magnificent view of the old town and the Port of Barcelona.

The history of Barcelona Cathedral

On the site of the cathedral a Roman temple was already situated. The first predecessor church of the cathedral dates back to the 6th century, it survived the destruction of Barcelona by the Moorish ruler Almansor in 985. The second predecessor church of the cathedral, a basilica in the Romanesque style, was consecrated in 1058. Finally, in 1298, the construction of the cathedral began on the remaining foundations of the early Christian church and the Romanesque basilica.

Although the cathedral itself was completed in 1448, many structural elements were added in later years. The bell tower was added around 1500. Due to the unadorned façade, which seemed to disturb many a Barcelona resident, a façade was added at the end of the 19th century, following the original plans from the 15th century. Last but not least, the central tower was completed in 1913.

The patron saint Eulalia

The patron saint of Barcelona and namesake of the cathedral, the Virgin Eulalia, suffered martyrdom in Barcelona during the reign of Emperor Diocletian around the year 290. Eulalia was a goose herder and a Christian. According to legend, she was exposed naked in a public square on a spring day. However, a miraculous snowfall covered her nakedness. The enraged Romans then put the Virgin in a barrel with knives stuck in it and rolled her through the streets of the city.

In the cathedral, a small statue commemorates the legend. In the crypt there is the tomb of Saint Eulalia. A staircase leads down to a small altar. Moreover, in memory of the young martyr, geese have been living in the cathedral courtyard since the Middle Ages. There are 13 in number, as old as the young Eulalia became. By the way, the courtyard is worth a visit not only for the cackling geese, but also for the beautiful cloister with its small chapels, gardens, fountains and medieval tombstones.

The view from Barcelona Cathedral

If you want to enjoy a great view of the old town and the Port of Barcelona, you should make your way to the roof of the cathedral. Fortunately, this can be done quite comfortably by elevator (the entrance is next to the Portal of San Ivo on the side of the Chapel dels Sants Innocents).

Website

catedralbcn.org

Opening hours

Opening hours free admission:

Admission fees

Free admission.

Visit of the choir: €3.00

Visit of the roof: €3.00

Cultural and tourist visit (incl. visit of choirs, roof, monastery, chapter house and the chapel of Christ of Lepanto): €7.00

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Metro line 4: Stop Jaume I

By car:

The nearest parking garage is the Parking Saba Catedral.