Barcelona Cathedral
Do you have a weakness for unique and inimitable architectural sights? Then welcome to one of the brightest spots on the planet! Today we will talk about Barcelona, but not about its white beaches, which are washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the unusual, even dare to say, charismatic culture of the locals. There are more worthy objects for the story in this city. Let's talk about the Cathedral of Barcelona.
The main attraction of the Gothic quarter
The temple is not in vain considered the center of one of the old quarters of the city. Even those who visit Barcelona for the first time can easily find this building, which is truly rich in architectural excesses. It is here that the religious idea originates, which has long taken root in the minds and hearts of the Catalans, and the cathedral is a kind of religious center. On holidays and on weekdays there are always a lot of people here. Numerous tourists mingle with the local townspeople, forming a bubbling mass of onlookers and history buffs. Here and there you can hear the enthusiastic hooting of lovers of Gothic architecture, which has become an integral part of the centuries-old history of Barcelona.
For those who do not know, the local province has long been something separate and unique. Although these parts belong to Spain, the seed of protest has long been sown in the minds of the inhabitants. A true Catalan considers himself independent, and the lands on which he was born will never become part of the Spanish state for him.
Construction history
If we turn to the history of the creation of the cathedral, we will find several interesting facts. First of all, it is worth knowing that this building, grandiose in scale and beauty, was erected on the site of a Roman basilica that existed in the distant 6th century. The cathedral is also known by a different name. And numerous guides will tell you about it with pleasure. The first stone of the Cathedral of Saint Eulalia, who is considered one of the main Christian martyrs and at the same time the most famous patroness of Barcelona, was laid in 1298. It is from this significant date that the grandiose construction of one of the most striking Gothic buildings, which we all were lucky to see today, will begin.
If you are a connoisseur of architecture from different directions, you can easily consider a combination of unusual approaches of French and Spanish Gothic. This is due to the fact that the construction of the cathedral continued until 1913, when a spire was installed on top of the tower. Different generations of architects who worked on the future masterpiece worked according to the drawings of the Rouen Cathedral.
Since 877, the relics of St. Eulalia have been kept here. According to historical references, this is a certain young girl who became one of the victims of the inquisitional views of the rulers of that time. Many tests and tortures fell on her lot. In memory of her steadfastness and unshakable faith in Christian ideals, the Cathedral was named.
Architecture
Over the centuries, the cathedral has undergone modifications and changed its appearance. The facade was finalized according to old drawings by one of the most notable figures of the architectural elite of that time – Mestres and Font. Not only the relics of the holy martyr rest under the vaults of the cathedral. Numerous abbots of the temple, and even the most distinguished representatives of the local aristocracy, are buried here. According to legend, Ramon Berenguer I, who is considered the Count of Barcelona along with his wife, is buried in the southern part of the hall. He ruled the local lands from 1035 to 1076. The count's couple rests in an unusually beautiful wooden sarcophagus, the entire surface of which is painted with extraordinary patterns.
There is another important feature here that will cause a sincere feeling of surprise and delight in everyone present. On the surface of the main altar, under which, according to legend, the relics of St. Eulalia rest, there is a small gap. If you throw a coin into it, the sarcophagus will sparkle with numerous lights. It's amazing! After all, it was created back in 1339! Are there many places on the planet where you can see such an unusual phenomenon?
Before such an architectural project, even modern masters scratch their heads in surprise. In general, one has only to look around and it becomes obvious that it is not possible to single out something special or inimitable, unique and truly original in the cathedral. Here, in every pebble, in every dostochka, the centuries-old history of Barcelona is seen, here and there one can see the ingenious brush of masters of different times.
Interior decoration
Of considerable interest to numerous tourists is the decorative performance of the choirs of the cathedral church. They can spend hours admiringly looking at simply magnificent carvings on objects made of stone and wood, as well as sharing their impressions of the original forged gratings. The choirs themselves are decorated with gilded coats of arms of world-famous knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece. It was they who were guests of honor within these walls and were present at the adoption of many fateful decisions by Charles V.
The Capitular Hall is dedicated to Christ of Lepant. It is believed that the image of Christ kept in this room accompanied Juan of Austria himself during his famous battle of Lepante. If you try to briefly describe the interior of the cathedral, then surely the most appropriate epithets would be “majestic” and “strict”. The architects who worked on the creation of this masterpiece should be given their due. After all, they managed to skillfully combine not only different trends in Gothic architecture, but also to make a religious accent in all the premises of the temple. What are the huge stained-glass windows, which in themselves can safely claim the title of a unique attraction. This is one of the most striking examples of Gothic architecture in Catalonia.
Or maybe it's not a cathedral at all? Maybe it's a huge treasure box that you can inspect, but no one is allowed to take out? Really! Not a single more suitable building or building immediately comes to mind, which hides so many secrets and is ready to share with everyone who entered its doors with pleasure, secrets that, without exaggeration, are covered with a layer of centuries-old dust. The cathedral never ceases to amaze even those who seem to have explored every inch of its splendor. Sarcophagus, cloister, 26 chapels – this is only a modest list of elements of the decoration of the temple, which are strongly recommended to study in the most thorough way.
Unusual guests
The cathedral boasts several entrances and exits at once. The oldest is considered to be the one that overlooks Comtes Street. The inner courtyard of the cathedral, which is called the “cloister”, can be followed through the portals of Saints Eulalia and Lucia. Through the courtyard you can go to the gallery and the chapels. It is believed that it was the chapel of Saint Lucia that was built even before the cathedral arose on this site. It is in the courtyard that tourists will certainly encounter unusual residents of the cathedral. Who is this? You won't guess anything! White geese have been living here for a long time.
According to legend, these birds are called upon to protect the peace of all those who rest near the temple. 13 snow-white geese, accustomed to numerous visitors, can even be fed. Surely, if only they could speak, they would have expressed their thoughts long ago in French, Spanish, Italian and even Russian. A huge flow of tourists from different countries contributes to this.
Monument of history
This is the status assigned to the Cathedral in Barcelona. And he, no doubt, deserves this high title, striking all new tourists with his grandiose and masterpiece features. An unusual combination of a Gothic “rosette”, which can be observed above the main entrance, and slender columns, from which, like a continuation, the spiers of the towers rush upwards and today cause genuine delight and a real feeling of tenderness.
From the dome of the cathedral you will see hitherto unseen views of Barcelona. The conditional border between the old city and the new quarters is clearly visible, as if two eras are united into one.
Going on a visit to Barcelona, take the time to plunge into the world of grandiose Catholic Gothic, which combines the most elegant solutions of the great minds of architects, created by the skillful hands of the best masters of their time.