Barcelona's 14th Century Gothic Cathedral

About 14th Century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral

La Sagrada Família: in la Eixample neighbourhood
Santa Maria del Mar: in El Born neighbourhood
Barcelona Cathedral: in Barri Gòtic , the gothic quarter

This page is about the 13th Century Roman Catholic Barcelona Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter

Barcelona Cathedral History

Historical excavations around Barcelona Cathedral reveal evidence of a religious structure from the forth century Roman period. The roman temple was destroyes by the moors in 985 A.D. Next followed a Romanesque chapel (built 1046 to 1058) and capella de Sant Lucia (built 1257 to 1268). The Capella was integrated into the cloister next to the catedral.

Construction of the current cathedral commenced on 1st May 1298 and was finished in 1460. The main façade is a later addition by architect Josep Oriol Mestres i Esplugas, built between 1887 and 1890 in a gothic style over the top of the original non descript medieval façade. The main tower was the last addition the the current cathedral being finished in 1913.

Barcelona Cathedral has a footprint of 93m by 40m with the central tower having a height of 70m while the two octagonal bell towers are at 50m.

The cloister, which encloses the Well of the Geese Font de les Oques, was completed in 1448. The cloister has 13 Geese, a symbolic number with one goose representing each year of Santa Eulàlia's life before her death.

When walking round the Cloister and the roof, note the gargoyles featuring a wide range of domestic and mythical animals.

The full name of the Barcelona Cathedral is Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, Being named after the martyr Santa Eulàlia, patron saint of Barcelona. She was tortured to death in late Roman times after refusing the give up her belief in Jesus. She is buried under the main altar in a sarcophagus in the crypt.

Santa Eulàlia is a local holiday celebrated on 12 of February in Barcelona.

Barcelona Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Barcelona.

Barcelona Cathedral History Barcelona Cathedral The Building

Image Gallery for 14th Century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral

Click on any of the 29 images to open full screen gallery player

Visiting 14th Century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral

To visit the cathedral, entry is via the main front door in Placita de la Seu. The visit allows access to the inside cloistered garden, the main cathedral space and via lift to the roof for spectacular views of central gothic area of Barcelona, Montjuïc and the waterfront.

I recommend visiting the cloister with small chapels, gardens, fountains, medieval tombstones and geese. The 13 white geese are said to symbolise the age of Eulalia when she suffered her martyrdom. The tradition of goose husbandry is due to a very practical feature of the geese: their deafening noise was a good defence against unwanted intruders and thieves. From the cloister you reach the small museum containing two very precious statues representing the Santa Eulalia.

For 15 euros you can buy a combined ticket for the Barcelona Dioceses Museum and Cathedral visit that is 3 euros cheaper than buying separate tickets for both attractions.

Barcelona Cathedral Cultural & Tourist Visit Hours

Week days: 10:30h to 18:30h (access will be closed at 18:00h)
Saturdays and festive days: 10:30h to 17:00h (access will be closed at 16:30h)
Sundays: Tourist visits suspended on Sundays until further notice

Barcelona Cathedral for Worship & Prayer

Week days: 08:30h to 12:30h and 17:45h to 19:30h
Saturdays and festive days: 08:30h to 12:30h and 17:15h to 19:30h
Sundays: 08:30h to 13:45h and 17:15h to 20:00h

Barcelona Catedral Homepage Barcelona Cathedral Hours & Prices

What to take with you for 14th Century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona Cathedral has ramp access via a side entrance in Calle del Bisbe which gives access to the cloister and cathedral. The roof visit is accessed via an elevator but the does require walking up metal grill steps and along a metal grill walkway so is not viable with push chairs or wheel chairs.

There is bicycle anchorage Plaza de la Seu here 41.384662, 2.176070 although this is not a location I would consider it safe to leave a bicycle chained up unattended.

Access to the Barcelona Cathedral may be denied with large bags and rucksacks but I have always been allowed inside with my small 10L museum rucksack. You will be asked to remove your hat. No provocative clothing such as hot-pants, micro skirts or swimwear.

14th Century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral Tickets

A standard entry ticket to Barcelona Cathedral costs €14.00 but for a more enhanced experience consider an official guided VR tour that includes:
- Full Skip-the-line access tickets (interior and terraces)
- Guided tour
- Virtual reality experience with VR glasses
- Radios and headphones for enhanced audio experience (for groups of over 10)

Getting to 14th Century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral

Address: Pla de la Seu, S/N, Barcelona. 8002

The Barcelona Dioceses Museum is located in the middle of the gothic quarter approximately equidistant from Plaza Catalunya on the green (L3) line or Jaume I on the yellow (L4) line of the metro network. Use a T-Casual or Hola-Barcelona travel card

Public Transport Guide