Barcelona Cathedral

About Barcelona Cathedral

The cathedral is dedicated to the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona's patron saint. It stands on the site of much older churches; the present Gothic building was begun in 1298 and largely completed by 1448. Locals simply call it La Seu, the see.

The spiky main front looks medieval but was only built in the late 19th century to old drawings, paid for by a local industrialist. So the cathedral pairs genuine Catalan Gothic inside with romantic neo-Gothic outside. The broad square in front is one of the liveliest spots in the old town.

Inside the cathedral

Inside is a tall, dim nave lined with some thirty side chapels glowing with candles and gilding. In the middle is the carved wooden choir, painted with the coats of arms of knights who once met here for a chapter of their order. Slender Gothic columns soar above the altar, and light filters through old stained glass.

The loveliest corner is the cloister, a courtyard of orange trees, palms and a fountain. It's home to 13 white geese, a number traditionally linked to Saint Eulalia's age. They honk around their pond, one of Barcelona's most unexpected sights.

What to see in the cathedral

• The façade — neo-Gothic spires over the square.
• The nave and chapels — candles, gilding and stained glass.
• The choir — carved stalls painted with coats of arms.
• The cloister — palms, a fountain and the geese.
• The roof — views over the Gothic Quarter to the Sagrada Família.
• The square — sardana dancing at weekends.

The cathedral rooftop

A lift takes you up to the roof, where walkways run between the spires and pinnacles. From up here you can see the tangle of Gothic Quarter lanes and, in the distance, the Sagrada Família, Montjuïc and the hills of Tibidabo.

The terrace is small with sturdy railings, so it's fine with children. It's best on a sunny morning, when the light is soft and the views are long, and it's great for photos of tiled rooftops and the bell towers of neighbouring churches.

Tips for your visit

Cover your shoulders and knees: staff check at the door and may turn away shorts and vests. Keep your voice down, as people pray in the chapels. Photos without flash are usually fine.

On Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, locals dance the sardana, a Catalan circle dance, in the square in front, and anyone can join in. Nearby, don't miss narrow Carrer del Bisbe with its lacy bridge and the little Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. On Thursdays an antiques market often sets up by the cathedral.

Places in Barcelona: compare and choose

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How to do it right

• Cover shoulders and knees.
• The day ticket includes the roof.
• Look for the geese in the cloister.
• Sardana dancing at weekends.

Questions