Barcelona Weekend Break

Cathedral la Seu

With Gaudi's Barcelona connection it is sometimes easy to neglect the other great buildings that the city has to offer and none are more impressive then the Cathedral la Seu, located in the Barri Gotic (Gothic centre) district of the city.

Barcelona's official catholic cathedral is a magnificent architectural achievement and can certainly stake a claim on being the cities most beautiful building. It is certainly the most beautiful of the city's conventional structures, although the Gaudi fans will no doubt disagree.

The oldest parts of the Cathedral la Seu were built in the late thirteenth century with the large and elegant towers appearing over the next two (14th and 15th) centuries, but much of what is externally visible today has eighteenth century origins.

The cathedral has three main naives and an ornate octagonal dome, but it is the twenty nine small chapels and altars that stand out once you are inside the building. These mainly Gothic and renaissance chapels offer up some amazingly detailed masonry work and this is further enhanced by the atmospheric effect created by the dull and refracted light.

The fourteenth century tomb of Santa Eulalia is, for those of a religious persuasion, one of a number of reasons to visit this cathedral. The tomb is situated in a crypt that lays beneath he altar and, with its marble appearance, it is an artist treasure in itself.

Elsewhere, the cathedral has three large naives and beneath the large dome there is an ambulatory. The mood of the building is definitely somber and this is possibly because of the dark and cool atmosphere inside. The main areas are however illuminated by candles (or simulations of them).

Tourist information

You can pay (about 2 euros) to ascend to the roof by lift (elevator) from which you gain panoramic views of Barcelona.

The cathedral also has a cloister which, aside from being a calm escape from busy Barcelona, is known for its thirteen geese – yes the feathered variety.

There are some brief multi-language commentary facilities in the cathedral.

The museum has a small museum plus a gift shop.