Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in the center of Barcelona: why see this Gothic gem? 

If you're into historical architecture, you should not miss the gothic cathedral of st. Eulalia ve Barri Gòtic district. It belongs to the pride of the city and is rightfully one of the most visited monuments in the center. 

Barcelona Cathedral, as the building is called for short, is built on the foundations of a former Visigothic church and today serves as seat of the local archbishop. 

A cathedral with a rich history full of legends and myths

The cathedral, whose construction began in the 13th century and lasted more than 200 years, is dedicated to Saint Eulália, who is one of the patronesses of Barcelona.

The fate of this saint is shrouded in many legends and mysteries today no one really knows how things really were with Eulália. All that is certain is that it was a young Christian girl born in 292 in Mérida. Her death at just 12 years old is connected with the cruel rule of Emperor Diocletian, who persecuted Christians and young Eulalia was one of the victims. The circumstances under which she was caught, imprisoned and subsequently publicly tortured are not well known.

If you visit the cathedral and the adjacent courtyard, you may come across a flock of thirteen snow-white geese. They are precisely a symbol of the martyrdom of Saint Eulalia, because according to one of the legends, it is said that the girl was reincarnated as a goose after her death. 

What can you see and do here? 

• View the premises of the monastery: besides the Cathedral, there are plenty of other buildings and places worth seeing. In the center of the monastery, for example, there is a nice little garden with palm trees, magnolias, orange trees or a small lake. This is where you usually meet the aforementioned 13 geese...
• Admire the Cathedral itself – the interior of the Cathedral is beautiful and there are many interesting things to see, e.g. the crypt of St. Eulalia with a sarcophagus, a decorated presbytery, portals or various statues or other sculptures.
• Visit the Chapter House, which originally served as a brothel for the poor, was rebuilt into a museum. You will find it under the main gallery in the Cathedral. 
• Enjoy the view from the roof of the Cathedral, which you can reach by elevator from the Chapel of the Holy Innocents. From the roof, you can see two bell towers, two towers of the monastery and you will also have a nice view of the city. 

Opening hours

Monday - Friday
9:30 – 18:30

Saturday and holidays
9:30 – 17:30

Sunday
14:00 – 17:00

How much does it cost or the entrance fee

• Basic entrance fee (Cathedral, roof, chapter house, audio guide): €9
• Basic entrance fee + museum (Cathedral, roof, chapter house, audio guide, diocesan museum): €15
• Night admission with exclusive views from the monastery terraces: €24

Anyone over the age of 12 needs a ticket, everyone younger has free entry. 

If just a tour of the Cathedral is enough for you, you can visit it for free during mass; see terms

Address and contacts

Pla de la Seu s/n 08002 Barcelona, ​​[email protected], tel.: (0034) 933 428 262

Website

http://www.catedralbcn.org