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Flyawhey | Health & Travel Blog wrote a review 10 Jan.
Lexington, Kentucky151 contributions11 helpful votes
I didn't go into the cathedral, but I know that was an option. I went during the high season of July 2019. It's very beautiful and just walking to catch a glimpse of it was quite nice.
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Date of experience: February 2020
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We only saw the outside of the cathedral but the view is stunning. We made tons of great photos. It is probably one of the most emblematic places in Barcelona, don´t miss it!
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Date of experience: July 2020
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The facade of the Cathedral of Barcelona gives rise to a sense of slight cognitive dissonance. Its spires and pointed arches somewhat do not correspond to the style of not very common Spanish Gothic, but gives rise to analogies with Chartres or Amiens. The impression of the cultural presence of France is enhanced by gargoyles, which not only provide protection from evil spirits, but also an important element of storm sewers. The mystery is easily solved. Built from 1298 to 1448, the Cathedral was put into operation without a facade and spire. The facade was added to the Cathedral more than 4 centuries later in the late XIX-early XX century, designed by the French master Charles Galtes, intended for the Rouen Cathedral (1408). The spire was completed just before world war I in 1913. couldn't see the interior of the Cathedral because of the big celebration in front of the Cathedral. The main Shrine of the Cathedral is not the mythical finger of the Apostle or a piece of the veil of Christ or the virgin, as is usual in cathedrals, but the real crucifix "Christ of Lepanto". This cross decorated the flagship galley "real" of don Juan of Austria, under whose command the Holy League fleet defeated the Turkish fleet at Lepanto in 1571. In this battle, 24-year-old Cervantes received 2 gunshot wounds in the chest and 1 in the forearm, leaving him to write "don Quixote" only one hand. Another relic is associated with the Saint that the Cathedral is dedicated to 13-year-old Eulalia of Barcelona. The girl was tortured for denouncing paganism and stripped before execution. However, snow began to fall and covered the girl's nakedness. I think I've read something like this before about the Italian Saint. Inessa, but her nakedness was covered by suddenly grown hair. The same degree of confidence as snow in Spain. However, the Cathedral didn`t do with the banal relics of St.Eulalia. 13 geese by the number of years the girls live in the cloister of the Cathedral. This is original.…
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Date of experience: January 2020
1 Helpful vote
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+1
This Cathedral is one of the best examples of history in this historic area of the city. There are so many sights to see within the walls. If you are visiting during busy hours, the entrance fee is 7 euros and another 4 euros if you want an audio guide. It is well worth it. Visit the church proper, the crypt, the cloisters where the geese reside, the chapter hall. Dont forget to take the lift to the roofs for a very unique view of Barcelona..WOnderful firt shops, prayer corners. It is an active church so you could be limited entrance during services.…
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Date of experience: November 2019
2 Helpful votes
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+1
As far as churches in Barcelona go, Sagrada Familia is the star attraction but it is also worth visiting Barcelona’s cathedral. It is an enormous, Gothic structure, dating from the late 1200s and entry is free (depending on what time you go). It has a strange and somewhat confusing entry system. For parts of the day, it is free to enter. If you get there before 12:30 or, if you wait and go after 5:45, then you can go inside for free. You only pay if you want to visit the roof (€3) or the choir stall (another €3). The rest of the time, in the middle of the day, it will cost you €7 BUT you don’t have to pay anything extra for the choir or the rooftop. So basically, if you plan on seeing everything, then you might as well go at whatever time you like because it’s only €1 difference. Keep in mind that if mass is on during the free times, you might not be allowed to see the choir or roof at all. If, like us, you only wanted to have a quick look inside, then it’s better to time your visit for the free entry. We went in the morning around 9 or 10am and there was virtually no line. From the outside, the main features are the 2 soaring bell towers and dome and the huge pointed Gothic arch above the doors. There are 80 or so statues on the façade. Jesus has prime position, standing in the middle of the two doors, overseeing everyone who enters. He is flanked by the 12 apostles on either side of the doors. Inside, the main features are: • The towering ceiling and arches • 40+ chapels, with no shortage of gold. Most of are for local saints so not many of them were familiar but there were signs on some chapels. Black Madonna. • Choir Stalls - although you can pay to go inside the central choir stalls, you can still see a glimpse of the ornately carved private stalls without having to go inside. • Crypt of St Eulalia is in front of the main altar. Her remains are in the Gothic alabaster sarcophagus, which has scenes of her martyrdom on the outside. The story of 13 year old Eulalia is particularly gruesome. She was martyred by the Romans who tortured her in 13 different ways, one for each year of her life, from throwing her into a ditch of quicklime to sealing her into a cask filled with broken glass, nails and knives and throwing her down a steep street. • Cloister courtyard with the famous 13 white Geese - somehow we missed this. I would have liked to have seen the courtyard but I didn't think of it until we were back outside and I hadn’t seen a sign or anything inside the church to prompt me. Apparently it’s through a white marble door on the right hand side, so don’t miss it like I did. TIP - Later that afternoon, we discovered a birds-eye view over the Cathedral at the roof-top bar of the Colon Hotel. It’s a very nice bar and was a spectacular way to see the Cathedral again.…
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Date of experience: January 2020
2 Helpful votes
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