Welcome to the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Eulalia.
This cathedral, located in the heart of Barcelona's gothic district, is also known as La Seu Cathedral
based on its location in front of Plaça de la Seu.
While Antonio Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia may be Barcelona's most famous landmark, and rightfully
so, the Santa Eulalia still holds it own as one of the most impressive cathedrals in Spain.
I'm sure you can see why.
The site of the cathedral has long been a place for worship, as the first basilica was
built already during the Roman occupation in 343.
A.D.
This basilica was later burned and destroyed during a Moor invasion, but it didn't take
long until a cathedral was built in its place.
The construction of the cathedral you have in front of you started in the late 13th century,
when the existing cathedral was demolished.
The old cathedral included a chapel, known as the Capella de Santa Llucia, which was
actually saved and incorporated into the cathedral of today.
Due to civil wars and the Black Death, which hit the city several times, the construction
of the cathedral progressed rather slowly.
The main building wasn't completed until 160 years later.
The massive facade ahead of you was finished much later, in 1889 and the last part, the
70 meters high central spire, was completed as late as in 1913.
Even though some parts of the cathedral were built rather recently, the design of both
the facade and the spire were based on the original cathedral design.
The cathedral is built as a typical Gothic cathedral.
The most evident part of this is the magnificent façade.
If you take a look at it, you will see that its spires, pinnacles and arches all are pointing
upwards.
This typical Gothic feature was a way of trying to reach up to heaven and connect the cathedral
with God.
The cathedral's main entrance is dominated by a statue of Jesus, surrounded by the apostles.
While the exterior of the cathedral is absolutely beautiful, the same is very much true for
its interior.
The interior consists of one wide nave with more then 20 side chapels, each one dedicated
to a specific saint or a catholic event.
One of the more well known chapels can be found to your right, just when you enter the
cathedral.
It is known as "Capella del Sant Crist de Lepant" and depicts the figure of Christ crucified.
The statue was taken aboard on one of the Christian galleys who fought in the sea Battle
of Lapanto in 1571.
When you look at the statue, you will see that Jesus has a rather strange, tilting pose.
The legend has it that this pose was created when the figure of Christ slightly shifted
to the right during the battle to dodge an incoming cannonball.
The cathedral has gotten its name from the co-patron saint of Barcelona, Santa Eulalia.
According to the Catholic tradition, Eulalia was a young virgin who suffered martyrdom
during Roman times in Barcelona.
She was killed at the age of 13 for refusing to dismiss Jesus as the son of God.
In front of the altar, you will find stairs leading down to the cathedral crypt.
Inside this crypt, you can actually see the beautiful sarcophagus of Eulalia.
The cathedral is adjacent to a 14th century cloister, which is what many people rate as
the best part of their cathedral visit.
The charming cloister courtyard is a lush garden where you can find different types
of trees and a small statue of a mounted Saint George, the other patron saint of Barcelona.
You can also find a small mossy pond known as the Well of the Geese.
The name originates from the fact that it houses a flock of white geese, whose ancestors
have been living in the courtyard ever since its creation.
The flock consists of thirteen geese, each one representing a year in Santa Eulalia's
short life.
The courtyard has, quite fittingly, been called the "loveliest oasis in Barcelona" and I'm
sure you will like it as well.
What some people don't know is that it is possible to take a lift to the roof of the
cathedral.
Up there, special made walkways allows you to wander around while at the same time enjoying
a great view over Gothic Barcelona.