Barcelona Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, commonly known as the Barcelona Cathedral, is one of the main examples of Gothic architecture in Catalonia and a symbol of the city itself. Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, this imposing structure is dedicated to the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, the patron saint of Barcelona, a young Christian martyr from the 4th century. The construction of the cathedral began in 1298 under the reign of James II of Aragon and continued for over 150 years, concluding in 1448. However, the neo-Gothic facade that we can admire today is an addition from the 19th century, completed between 1882 and 1913, thanks to the initiative of Manuel Girona. The architect Josep Oriol Mestres was commissioned to design this new facade, inspired by the original medieval designs of Carles Galtés de Ruan. The cathedral is built on a site of great historical importance. Before the construction of the current Gothic building, there was a Romanesque cathedral, which in turn was built on a Visigothic church, preceded by a paleochristian basilica from the 6th century. The remains of these previous buildings are visible in the History Museum of Barcelona, located underground of the cathedral. The exterior of the cathedral is characterized by two octagonal bell towers, 53 meters high, and a central dome that reaches 70 meters in height. The main facade, with its large rose window and sculptural decorations of angels and saints, is a masterful example of neo-Gothic style. The main door is adorned with sculptures depicting Christ and the apostles, works of the sculptors Agapito Vallmitjana and Joan Roig i Solé. The interior of the cathedral is equally impressive, with three naves of the same height and a semicircular apse surrounded by an ambulatory with nine radial chapels. The Gothic stained glass windows, which fill the apse with colored light, are one of the highlights of the interior architecture. The crypt of Saint Eulalia, located under the main altar, houses the sarcophagus of the saint, a 13th-century marble work carved with scenes of the life and martyrdom of Eulalia. The choir, located in the center of the main nave, is another prominent element. The choir stalls are decorated with elaborate carvings representing biblical scenes and figures of saints. Above the choir, a monumental organ adds a sound dimension to the solemn atmosphere of the cathedral. The Gothic cloister, completed in the 15th century, is one of the most evocative spaces of the cathedral. This peaceful garden is surrounded by covered galleries and houses a fountain and thirteen white geese, symbolizing Eulalia’s age at the time of her martyrdom. Legend has it that the young saint was a goose shepherdess, and the presence of these animals in the cloister is a tribute to this tradition. An interesting anecdote concerns the gargoyles of the cathedral, monstrous figures carved to decorate the outer corners of the building. These sculptures, intended to channel rainwater away from the walls, represent a variety of fantastic creatures and animals, and are an example of the creativity and humor of medieval sculptors.