The Cathedral of Barcelona, officially known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, is the seat of the Archbishopric of Barcelona, built on the original Romanesque cathedral. From a hierarchical point of view, it's the most important church in the city. The cathedral is located in the Gothic Quarter, right in the centre of Barcelona.
Construction of the present Gothic cathedral dates back to 1298. Previously, there was a Romanesque cathedral in its place which was built on the foundations of a Christian basilica. Due to a lack of financial resources, the cathedral remained incomplete for several centuries, until its construction was finally completed in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries.
The church has the typical Catalan Gothic structure and consists of three naves, a central one and two lateral ones, from which you can admire numerous chapels. Under the main altar is the crypt of Santa Eulalia, built in the 14th century, where the remains of the saint rest. The coats of arms of the Order of the Golden Fleece can be found painted on the back of the choir stalls, one of the best examples of the Catalonian Gothic style. Admire the beautiful stained-glass windows, especially the "Noli me tangere", which is made from Bartolomé Bermejo's cartoons. Go to the baptistery chapel to see it with your own eyes!
The cathedral's rectangular cloister is also designed in Gothic style, and the pillars and vaults of its four galleries feature scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The beautiful central garden, which features a pond, is one of the most striking aspects. In one of the galleries of the cloister is the Cathedral Museum, which houses the Pietà of Bartolomé Bermejo and the impressive monstrance made of gold and silver, among other great works.
Don't forget to go up to the cathedral's terrace. In addition to enjoying incredible views of Barcelona, you can admire the bell towers and the dome of the cathedral.
