Catedral de Barcelona: the Gothic Jewel of the Capital City

Just a few blocks from the iconic Mercado de la Boquería and alongside other well-known buildings like the Museo de Historia de Barcelona and the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya, you will find the Catedral de Barcelona. Both the interior and the exterior of the capital city’s foremost church are sure to catch a visitor’s eye. Built in the 14th century, it is the touchstone of Catalan Gothic architecture. Take advantage of your stay at our hotel close to Ciutat Vella to get to know these treasures of Barcelona.

History of the Catedral de Barcelona

Long before the Majestic Catedral de Barcelona de Barcelona was built, a paleo-Christian basilica was in the same spot, housing the relics of Santa Eulalia. These relics were found and kept safe in the middle of the Muslim invasion. The church was damaged by the vicissitudes of that era, and in the 11th century they decided to replace it with a Roman temple.

However, they had to wait until the 14th century until the current Gothic cathedral was built. Work began in the year 1298 and continued for the next 150 years.

Catedral de Barcelona - Hotel Blog Casa Vaganto

What not to miss at the Catedral de Barcelona

The facade of the Catadral de Barcelona is in the neo-Gothic style and is dominated by a sculpture of Christ and the 12 apostles. Inside, one of the most noticeable aspects is the organ, from the sixteenth century. Periodically the cathedral also hosts popular organ concerts.

La Puerta de San Ivo, on one side, is the oldest, and for a time the main access to the cathedral. It dates to the end of the thirteenth century and is made of marble.
The crypt of Santa Eulalia, from which the cathedral draws its name, houses the relics of the martyr.

A visit to the balconies is a must. From there, you can see the cathedral’s bell towers, as well as a beautiful view of Barcelona.

Finally, don’t miss the cloisters and the extraordinary garden. In the center there is a pond that’s home to 13 geese, as a reference to the age when Santa Eulalia was martyred.

Plan your visit

From Monday to Friday, you can visit the Catedral de Barcelona from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Saturdays the cathedral is open from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, uninterrupted. Entry costs nine Euros per person.

Without a doubt, this is a must-see visit that will make you fall even more in love with Barcelona. Enjoy your stay at our boutique hotel on Parallel!

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