Barcelona
Beloved by locals and tourists alike for its cutting-edge modernity, fine city beaches, outdoor cafes and unique Catalan culture, Barcelona is the capital of the region of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain (pop. 3 million).
Situtated on the northeast coast of Spain not far from the French border, Barcelona has been inhabited since Roman times, when it was known as Barcino. Its 13th-century cathedral stands on a site previously occupied by a Roman temple and later a mosque.
Today, Barcelona is home to a magnificent array of churches, ranging from the 10th-century Romanesque Sant Pau de Camp to the cutting-edge Art Nouveau La Sagrada Familia designed by Antoni Gaudi. In between, chronologically speaking, are several medieval churches built in the Catalan Gothic style, which is characterized by huge bare walls, heavy columns, large rose windows, and austere ornamentation; Santa Maria del Mar is considered Barcelona's most splendid example.
City Guide & Trip Planning
|
Sacred Sites & Religious Places
|
Barcelona Cathedral (La Seu)
Barcelona's cathedral is a celebrated example of Catalan Gothic architecture built in the 14th century. Its best feature is the cloister with lush gardens and, oddly, a gaggle of white geese. |
|
La Sagrada Familia
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família is a magnificent basilica designed by the celebrated Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudi. It remains unfinished, with a current estimate of 2026 for completion. |
|
Santa Maria del Mar
The beautiful Catalan-Gothic church of "St. Mary of the Sea" dates from the 1320s. Built to commemorate the conquest of Sardinia, it was intended to symbolize the maritime supremacy of the Kingdom of Aragon. |
|
Santa Maria del Pi
This 14th-century Catalan Gothic church stands at the heart of three picturesque little plazas. The church is named for the pine tree (pi in Catalan) that once stood nearby and boasts a huge rose window. |
|
Sant Pau del Camp
The church of "St. Paul of the Countryside" is the oldest church in Barcelona and a rare example of Romanesque architecture in Catalonia. Once surrounded by green fields, it is now in the city center. |
|
Sacred Destinations Home Contact Us About Us About Images License Photos Buy Prints Advertise Travel Blog Spiritual Tours Travel Blog Timeshares Privacy Policy
Except where indicated otherwise, all content and images © 2005-08 Sacred Destinations. All rights reserved.
Free content for your Google homepage or website! Get our photo gadget.
Sacred Destinations is an online travel guide to sacred sites, pilgrimages, holy places, religious history, sacred places, historical religious sites, archaeological sites,
religious festivals, sacred sites, spiritual retreats, religious travel and spiritual journeys. We are a Yahoo Pick!
Popular categories: Ancient Mysteries, Biblical Sites, Cathedrals, Catholic Shrines, Dead on Display, Footsteps of Jesus, Luther Sites
