CATHEDRALS AND CHURCHES EXISTING IN BARCELONA, SPAIN
Spain is known for many things, some of which include flamenco dancing and paella. Spain is also a country of strong Catholic origin and some of Barcelona Churches are among the best in the world. Whether you are religious or not, your next trip to Spain should definitely include some stops in the country's most beautiful and historical religious structures. This list includes the best Barcelona cathedral and churches in Barcelona, Spain and what makes them unique.
1. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is without a doubt Barcelona's most famous church, thanks in part to its creator, Antoni Gaudi. Begun in 1882, this Barcelona cathedral is still a project in progress, even if it comes to an end. Different from many classic Spanish churches, the Sagrada Familia is built with elements of Art Nouveau style. The Sagrada Familia is today one of the most popular tourist attractions of the city of Barcelona. It is open to the public for visits as well as religious services.
The Sagrada Família is Antoni Gaudí's most famous work and has become an undisputed symbol of Barcelona. This modern temple has been under construction since 1882.
The first stone of this colossal basilica was laid in 1882 and construction work is still ongoing. Although the architect Francesc de Paula Villar was originally responsible for the Sagrada Família project a year later, he was replaced by the young Gaudí, who devoted himself fully to this task until his death, in 1926. During his lifetime, Gaudí completed the crypt and the façade of the Nativity on the side, which were declared World Heritage Site. The remaining models and drawings have enabled construction to continue, which continues to be financed by private donations.
The Sagrada Familia Church of Atonement has a central nave with four aisles and a transept with a central nave flanked by two aisles forming a Latin cross. The semicircular apse is located at the top of the cross and encloses the basilica at the back. The basilica also has three monumental facades, each representing one of the crucial moments in the life of Christ: his birth (Carrer Marina), his passion, his death and resurrection. The four towers of each facade exhibit the 12 apostles. A domed tower will eventually crown the apse, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, and the four high towers dedicated to the evangelists will encircle the central spire that will be built on the passage to represent the Savior. You can ride the towers on foot or by using the lift and enjoy a breathtaking view of Barcelona.
The interior of the church is defined by columns extending like tree branches towards the ceiling. Gaudí's projects also included 18 arrows, including eight full ones, as well as numerous towers, chapels, portals and other interior elements. Once built, the highest spire, which symbolizes Jesus Christ, will ensure the Sagrada Família's place as the largest church building in the world.
Although the Sagrada Família is said to be Gaudí's greatest opus, the architect seemed insensitive to his glacial progress, remarking: "There is no reason to regret not being able to finish the church. What must always be preserved is the spirit of the work, but its life depends on the generations to whom it is transmitted and with which it lives and incarnates. the hands of the architects who followed him, some advocated leaving the church unfinished out of respect for the original designer.
According to some projections, the Sagrada Família should be completed in 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death, while others believe that construction could continue in the 2040s. Although still incomplete, the church receives about 2.8 million visitors each year.
2. Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, Barcelona
Perched on top of Mount Tibidabo, Expiatori del Sagrat Cor Temple is also known as the Expiatory Barcelona Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The structure is stone, using Romanesque architectural style and neo-Gothic touches. It is one of the last Christian churches in Spain, completed in 1950, although after a long process of construction. It is located in Barcelona, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.
3. Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar (Basilica of St. Mary of the Sea)
Built in the 14th century over 54 years old, the Santa María del Mar basilica is one of the most beautiful churches in Barcelona. This is an excellent example of typical Catalan Gothic style, with an impressive architecture, harmonious in its simple symmetry. Beautiful windows let in the rays of the sun, offering a surprisingly open and bright area, contrasting with the seemingly harsh exterior. Santa María del Mar is an oasis of peace in the middle of an extremely lively city and certainly worth a visit.
4. Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi (Basilica of St. Mary of Pine)
Dating back to the 14th century, Santa Maria del Pi is one of most important Barcelona Church. It is a typical Catalan church, with a nave wider than most others. A pine tree stood in front of the church, giving it its name. Like many Catalan churches, Santa María del Pi has few internal and external ornaments, which gives it a wonderful simplicity, although it has one of the largest rosettes in the world. This church has much to offer, including a small museum and treasury, in which is found what is believed to be a relic of Christ's crown of thorns.
5. Sant Pau del Camp (Saint Paul of the Campaign)
The bohemian El Ravalis district is home to Barcelona's oldest church - Sant Pau del Camp. It is a Benedictine monastery, founded at the end of the 800s, whose name was attributed to the fact that it was located outside the city, which was to become modern Barcelona. It is a Barcelona Church that has had a lot of history, from Moorish invasions to the Spanish Civil War, which has had to be restored several times. It is quiet, with beautiful grounds and not as well-known as the big Barcelona Church but it is still worth visiting.
6. Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes (Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes)
Away from the noisy and crowded center of Barcelona is the Royal Monastery of Pedralbes, a hidden gem. Declared historical and artistic monument, this monastery is surrounded by stories from the past of Barcelona. It was designed as soon as King Jaume II ordered the construction. As for its architecture, it is very uniform and quite simple, but follows the traditional Catalan Gothic style. Picturesque gardens surround the monastery, which is composed of many different sections, each with its own point of interest, ready to be discovered by visitors to the monastery.
7. The Catedral de Barcelona (Barcelona Cathedral)
The Cathedral of Barcelona, one of the greatest tourist attractions of the city, stands majestically in the Gothic Quarter. The exterior of the Barcelona cathedral is at the height of its interior: due to the long construction period that lasted 150 years, three different periods of architecture are visible. Keep an eye on the crypt of St. Eulalia, martyr of the Christian faith, which gives the cathedral another name by which it is sometimes called the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia. Climb to the roof to admire the fantastic view of the Gothic Quarter.
“11 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BARCELONA’S CATHEDRALS AND CHURCHES”
Barcelona Cathedral (Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia) is a magnificent Gothic church located in front of the Plaça de la Seu, in the enchanting Gothic Quarter of Barcelona.
Although often overlooked in favor of the more famous Sagrada Familia, overlooking the city, the Cathedral Sainte-Eulalie is still one of the largest religious buildings and impressive Spain.
Founded in the fifteenth century on the site of an old Visigoth chapel, the Barcelona cathedral is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Eulalia of Barcelona, a young virgin who died as a martyr in Roman times, after refusing to send Jesus back. as sons of God.
One of the most remarkable monuments of the city, the old cathedral, is located in the Gothic Quarter, the historic center of Barcelona. An active Roman catholic cathedral still serving as a place of worship and celebration, the Barcelona cathedral is also a major attraction and a symbol of Barcelona's status as an important Spanish city.
Its full name is St. Croix Cathedral and St. Eulalia.
Most people simply refer to the building as Barcelona's cathedral, but its real name reveals that it is dedicated to Barcelona's patron saint, Saint Eulalia of Barcelona. She shares this privileged status with her co-patron, La Mercè, celebrated each year on September 24th.
However, locals call it La Seu
If you hear locals refer to the cathedral as La Seu do not be surprised. The word "seat" means "seat" in Catalan and is used to refer to the Church as it is the seat of the diocese of Barcelona. The cathedral houses the archbishop of Barcelona, Juan José Omella i Omella, who was appointed to this position in 2015.
It is technically a minor basilica
There are more than 1,700 basilicas in the world, of which only four are called "major basilicas", the others bearing the name "minor basilica". This special status means that the cathedral has been recognized for its remarkable character and has accordingly received a number of privileges.
And was consecrated in 1339
The cathedral was built in the space of nearly two centuries between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. Construction began in 1298. Although the cloister was completed about 150 years later, it was consecrated in 1339 and has been an important place of worship worship since.
It is renowned for his Gothic architectural style
Located in the center of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, the Barcelona cathedral is particularly popular with visitors for its Gothic design. The most remarkable features are the pointed arches, the ribbed vaults visible from the interior of the cathedral and the many gargoyles visible on the roof.
And yet the facade is a neo-Gothic addition of the 19th century
It is true. What most people see when arriving in front of the impressive building is nothing more than a 19th century addition designed to reproduce the distinctive Gothic features. The result is a rather intensified design, with a much more elaborate finish compared to the Gothic elements of the fourteenth century that can still be seen on the sides of the Barcelona cathedral.
There is an adjoining cloister not to be missed
Completed in 1448, the cloister is located just around the corner from the Barcelona cathedral and has a covered walkway that encloses a charming courtyard. Large palm trees provide shade and create the impression of a secret garden set back from the busy streets of the Gothic Quarter.
And it is home to 13 white geese
One of the peculiarities of the cloister is the presence of 13 geese, which represents the fact that Saint Eulalia would be 13 years old at her death. We often see geese bathing in the Oka (or "goose well") with a statue of St. George (patron saint of Catalonia) killing the dragon.
There is a chapel with a mythical crucifix
The chapel of Lepanto was built in 1407 as a chapter hall or meeting place. The chapel houses a very unusual crucifix called the Holy Christ of Lepanto. The latter is remarkable for its oblique shape which, according to legend, occurred when the crucifix was aboard a royal ship that was fired from cannonballs. The crucifix would have bent to the side to avoid the cannonball and has remained inclined since.
On the day of Corpus Christi, you will see a "dancing egg" in the cathedral.
One of the most curious local traditions, "the dancing egg", consists of a dozen fountains surrounding a small egg that seems to "dance" in the stream of water. This tradition dates back to the 17th century and is believed to represent the cycle of Christ's life in the Catholic faith.
Traditional candles have been replaced by electronics
It is the tradition of lighting a small candle and praying in the sanctuaries of certain saints. However, these traditional candles have been replaced by electronic candles in the Barcelona cathedral, in part because of the increasing number of tourists going to the cathedral and the need to ensure security.
REFERENCE AND CITATIONS
Cathedral in Spain by Pedro Navascués Palacio
The Tample Of The Sagrada Familia by José María Carandell, Vivas, Pere
Cathedral of The Sea by Ildefonso Falcones