Barcelona Cathedral

The Gothic cathedral of Barcelona, situated in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, is definitely worth a visit. It’s an important monument of both historical and artistic significance. Known as Catedral de Barcelona, it’s closely linked to Barcelona’s former patron saint, Santa Eulàlia (Saint Eulalia), and is locally referred to as ‘La Seu’.

What to See and Do at Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona’s monumental cathedral is beautiful both inside and out. From its cloister and rooftop terrace with stunning views over the Gothic Quarter to the many gargoyles in demonic forms, Barcelona’s cathedral is full of secrets and beautiful spots that deserve your attention.

Outside the Cathedral

Every year, 12 million tourists and visitors cross the large square in front of Barcelona Cathedral, undoubtedly Barcelona’s most visited sights. Outside, passersby enjoy the monumental facade of the cathedral, street performers, and lively terraces. There are often stalls where you can buy souvenirs and local products.

The cathedral has five portals. The main portal, added at the end of the 19th century, is in Neo-Gothic style. In the middle of the arch, there’s a statue of Christ, and on both sides of the portal are stone engravings of the apostles, angels, kings, and prophets, all looking towards the entrance.

The Portal of Saint Ivo (Portal de Sant Iu, on Carrer dels Comtes) is the cathedral’s oldest door and a perfect example of what is known as the Catalan Gothic style. For 500 years, this was the cathedral’s main entrance. On both sides of the door are two inscriptions with the same text, commemorating the start of the Gothic cathedral’s construction on May 1, 1298.

Another door worth your attention is the Portal of Saint Lucia (Portal de Santa Llúcia), on Carrer de Santa Llúcia, which is a Romanesque portal. This leads to the Chapel of Santa Llúcia.

The octagonal Gothic bell towers of the cathedral date back to the late 13th century. Those above the Saint Ivo door indicate the time, while the others ring the ecclesiastical hours.

Of the 250 gargoyles that adorn the cathedral, little is known: they could be decorative or functional elements, but others believe that these demonic sculptures also served to protect the temple or to remind good Christians to follow religious rules to avoid ending up in hell. Among these figures, a few stand out: those of a bull, an elephant, a unicorn, and even a frog! The latter can be found at the back of the cathedral, opposite the Palau del Lloctinent.

Inside the Cathedral

Inside the cathedral, you’ll find beautiful intimate chapels and a majestic high altar. Pay attention to the ceilings and keystones, the organ that accompanies the Eucharist and Bible readings, and the beautiful stained glass windows. You can also light a candle for a small fee, and use the available audio guides to tour the cathedral and learn more about it.

The Barcelona Cathedral consists of a nave, a choir, and an apse where the main altar and the crypt of Santa Eulàlia are located. The nave is surrounded by numerous chapels, among which the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament and of the Holy Christ of Lepanto are the most important. Additionally, in the center of the nave lie the remains of the baptismal chapel of the first paleo-Christian basilica (but these can only be visited by going to the underground Museu d’Història de la Ciutat de Barcelona (MUHBA)).

The white marble altar is adorned with an image of the Holy Cross and six angels by Frederic Marès from 1967. The crypt of Santa Eulàlia, located under the main altar, was built at the beginning of the 14th century by architect Jaume Fabré. The crypt preserves the old tomb of the martyr, from whom the cathedral derives its name.

The choir of the cathedral is situated in the middle of the nave. This typical Spanish feature indicates that the building was used not only for liturgical purposes but also by world leaders to affirm the bond between church and state.

The cathedral also has five towers and a small, elegant cloister on the south side of the nave.

Roof of the Cathedral

A visit to the roof of Barcelona Cathedral is highly recommended to best appreciate the splendor of its Gothic structure. An elevator takes visitors to the roof of the cathedral, located next to the Chapel of the Innocent Saints, near the San Ivo door. From the rooftop terrace, there is a magnificent view over the city, the cathedral’s bell towers, the Holy Cross crowning the cathedral, and the cloister.

Cloister of the Cathedral

Next to Barcelona Cathedral lies a 14th-century cloister. The entrance to the cloister is on Carrer del Bisbe but can also be accessed from inside the cathedral through a door.

The quiet cloister of the cathedral features a fountain and a pond inhabited by thirteen white geese. There are always thirteen geese, as legend has it, reflecting the age at which Santa Eulàlia died as a martyr. She is also said to have undergone thirteen tortures.

Museum of the Cathedral

Also of interest is the cathedral’s museum, located under the gallery of the cloister. Originally the place where food for the poor was prepared, it now houses artworks such as a terracotta statue of Santa Eulàlia, Gothic altarpieces, and various paintings, and even the throne of King Martí l’Humà from the late 14th century.

Chapel of Santa Llúcia

The Chapel of Santa Llúcia, found to the right of the main portal, is the only one that remains in Romanesque style. It was built between 1257 and 1268 as a chapel for the episcopal palace (the current Casa de l’Ardiaca located opposite the chapel). The chapel has two doors: one on Carrer de Santa Llúcia and the other, leading to the cloister, at the back.

Attending Mass

You can also attend one of the masses in the cathedral. They are held daily at specific times and are conducted in Catalan or Spanish.

The location of the mass can vary: sometimes they take place at the high altar, other times in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament and of the Holy Christ of Lepanto.

Entrance to the church building is free during mass.

You can attend a ceremony in the cathedral at the following times:

• Daily: at 9:00, 11:00, and 19:15 (Catalan) and 12:00 (Spanish).
• Saturday: at 9:00 and 11:00 (Catalan) and 12:00 and 18:00 (Spanish).
• Sunday and holidays: at 9:00, 10:30, 13:00, and 19:15 (Catalan), 12:00 and 18:00 (Spanish).

Museu Diocesà

In the former Casa de la Pia Almoina, at the square in front of the cathedral, lies the Museu Diocesà (Diocesan Museum), where a large collection of religious artworks is displayed.

Here you can buy your entrance tickets for the cathedral, request a guided tour of the cathedral, or enjoy a cup of coffee at the Café del Museu.

Casa de l’Ardiaca

The Casa de l’Ardiaca, or the House of the Archdeacon, is a Gothic-Renaissance building next to the cathedral that has served as the historical city archive since 1919. You can visit the exhibition space and the beautiful courtyard of this medieval palace for free.

Museu Frederic Marès

This museum, located in part of the former royal palace, contains an extensive and valuable collection of artworks and objects from the Catalan sculptor and collector Frederic Marès.

Its quiet courtyard opens every summer as the Cafè d’Estiu, the perfect spot for a break in the shade with some refreshments.

Palau del Lloctinent

This medieval palace, originally intended to house the king’s lieutenant and later the address of the Archive of the Crown of Aragón, is now a beautiful place to visit and is located just behind the cathedral.

Events at Barcelona Cathedral

In the square in front of the cathedral, the traditional Catalan dance, the sardana, is performed every weekend (every Saturday at 18:00 and Sunday at 11:15, except in August). The sardanes is a traditional Catalan dance where participants join hands in a circle. The dance is accompanied by musicians and is a great opportunity to experience one of Catalonia’s most famous dances.

Additionally, an antique market, the Fira de Brocanters, is organized every Thursday.

Other important events that take place here include the Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas market, the Easter processions during Holy Week, the Festes de la Mercè concerts, and the celebration of Corpus Christi and l’Ou com Balla.

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History of Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona had an early Christian cathedral in the 4th century, which was destroyed in 985 AD by al-Mansur. A second Romanesque cathedral was consecrated on November 18, 1058, by Archbishop Wilfred of Narbonne. The current Gothic cathedral was built on the foundations of this primitive paleo-Christian basilica and the subsequent Romanesque cathedral.

Construction began on May 1, 1298, during the tenure of Bishop Bernardo Pelegrí and the reign of King Jaume II of Aragon, and was nearly completed in the mid-15th century, under the tenure of Bishop Francisco Clemente Sapera and the rule of King Alfonso V of Aragon.

In 599, the cathedral was dedicated to the Santa Creu, and in 877, the city’s former patron saint, Santa Eulàlia, was added to its name. Hence its official name: Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia. According to legend, the Cathedral of Barcelona was built here because this was the site where Saint Jacob (Sant Jaume) first preached the new law of Christ.

However, the cathedral’s facade had to wait for the generosity of the businessman Manuel Girona, who covered the costs with the arrival of the 1888 World Exhibition. Mr. Girona’s children completed their father’s work in 1913 with the construction of the vault.

Since its foundation, Barcelona Cathedral has witnessed important historical moments, such as the royal wedding between Infanta Cristina de Borbón and Iñaki Urdangarín in 1997 and the arrival of the pope in 2010.

It is one of the most visited monuments in the Gothic Quarter and a significant meeting point for many events in the city.

Barcelona Cathedral Tickets Tickets for Barcelona Cathedral are available online and at the main entrance at Pla de la Seu. They allow you to visit the cathedral’s interior (with its choir and chapels), as well as the rooftop terrace, cloister, and museum.

You can optionally add an audio guide (€4 extra). Guided tours can also be booked through the Museu Diocesà (Avinguda de la Catedral, 4).

Visiting Barcelona Cathedral for Free It is possible to visit Barcelona Cathedral for free if you attend mass. However, keep in mind that during mass, you will not be able to visit the choir or the rooftop terrace, as these are only accessible with paid admission. The cloister of the Cathedral, accessible via Carrer del Bisbe, is also free to visit.

How to Get to Barcelona Cathedral Barcelona Cathedral is located in the center of Barcelona and is easily accessible by metro. If you get off at Jaume I station (L4), you need to walk a short distance until you reach Avinguda de la Catedral, where you will find the cathedral at the top of the stairs.

There are several entrances to Barcelona Cathedral, but the most beautiful is the one facing Pla de la Seu (the square on Avinguda de la Catedral).

Barcelona Cathedral Tickets

Tickets for the Barcelona Cathedral are available online and at the Diocesan Museum (next to the cathedral). With these tickets, you can visit the interior of the cathedral (including the choir and chapels), as well as the rooftop terrace, cloister, and museum.

If desired, you can add an audio guide for an additional €4. You can also book a guided tour of the cathedral.

Visiting Barcelona Cathedral for Free

It is possible to visit Barcelona Cathedral for free if you attend a mass. However, please note that during mass, you won’t be able to visit the choir or the rooftop terrace, as these areas are accessible only with paid admission. The cloister of the Cathedral, accessible via Carrer del Bisbe, is also free to visit.

How to Get to Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona Cathedral is centrally located in Barcelona and is easily accessible by metro. If you disembark at Jaume I station (L4), you need to walk a short distance until you reach Avinguda de la Catedral, where you will find the cathedral at the top of the stairs.

There are multiple entrances to Barcelona Cathedral, but the most beautiful one is at the front on Pla de la Seu (the square on Avinguda de la Catedral).