Like most countries in the world, Spain has no state religion, but you’d be hard pressed to believe that sometimes with the number of churches you’ll find all over the country. Barcelona in particular has some of the most beautiful churches in Spain - absolutely worth a visit to admire the architecture even if you don’t attend a service.
Basilica de Santa María del Mar
Found in the Ribera district in Barcelona, the Basilica de Santa María del Mar is a Catalan Gothic church, regarded as an outstanding example of that particular style, especially for a building of this size. Dedicated to Saint Mary, the del Mar, Spanish for “of the sea”, may refer to the fact that the Ribera neighbourhood used to be on the sea shore. The only surviving church in pure Catalan Gothic style, the Basilica’s exterior is difficult to see all at once due to the narrow streets, but it’s clear to anyone that it looks a little cramped, if not small. Stepping inside the church, however, is like walking into another world - everything is bright and airy, spacious with clean symmetry everywhere you turn. The stained glass windows that filter in light also help to add to the atmosphere of lightness, so different from the somewhat heavy and hulking exterior. Today, in addition to the usual regular masses that run every day, the church also offers visitors guided tours around the basilica - the first option will bring you to the towers and rooftops of the basilica, area that are otherwise off-limits; the second option is similar in where you will go, but this time, the tour is conducted in a much smaller group and in the dark, lending a more intimate feel to the experience.
La Catedral de Barcelona
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, more commonly known as the Barcelona Cathedral, is the seat of the archbishop of Barcelona. Dedicated to the Eulalia of Barcelona, a co-patron saint of the city, the cathedral is noted for its Gothic architecture and the many gargoyles of domestic and mythical animals on its roofs. Like the exterior, the cathedral’s interior is intricately detailed and well-preserved, with almost all of the original work having been carefully preserved and restored. The church also has a Gothic cloister, in which 13 white geese live, to symbolise how Saint Eulalia was 13 years old when she was martyred, as well as a crypt, where Saint Eulalia is entombed, alongside several other religious figures. As the cathedral is still an active church, holding mass daily as well as other services, visitors are only allowed in between 12:30pm and 7:15pm on weekdays, and slightly shorter hours on the weekends.
Reial Monestir de Santa María de Pedralbes
The Royal Monastery of Santa María of Pedralbes, known simply as the Monastery of Pedralbes, is a Gothic monastery, originally built by King James II of Aragon for his wife, Elisenda de Montcada. Built in white stone - which is pertas albas in Catalan, and later devolved to the pedralbes used today - the monastery housed members of the Poor Clares, who were mostly from noble families. Elisenda also had a palace built and annexed to the monastery, where she would live after King James died. Nowadays, the monastery is a museum, hosting its own permanent collection, made up of the collections of the nuns who had lived there, such as religious objects, furniture, and artwork, and including the murals of Ferrer Bassa, the Catalan Gothic painter and miniaturist, in the Chapel of St Michael on the monastery grounds, as well as roving exhibits. Visitors are welcomed to learn more about the life of the nuns of the Poor Clares, as well as the history of the monastery itself.
Església de le Saleses
The Església de le Saleses is a neo-Gothic church that is well-known for having been designed by Joan Martorell i Montells, the architecture professor of Antoni Gaudí. Raised in the late 19th Century, the church’s adjacent convent had been badly damaged during the Spanish civil war; despite that, what remains of the original architecture - such as the brick, mosaics, and stained glass - are hints at elements that would come to be significant in the Modernisme style. Today, the building is no longer an active church, but rather a school under the Marist Brothers of Schools, with parts of the building being converted, such as the cloisters to a playground, and turning the interiors into classrooms, as well as other additions. Despite that, and the fact that visitors are not simply allowed on the premises, you can still admire the exterior, which, unlike the interior, has been largely preserved in its original form.
La Sagrada Familia
Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, The Basilica of the Sacred Family, known simply as La Sagrada Familia, is a church famous for several reasons. Not only is it the masterpiece of the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí (and thus part of a series of his works that are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the church has been in the process of being built for more than a hundred years - and it still is to this day, with few to no signs of a completion date in the near future. Compared to other churches on this list, and indeed in most of Europe, La Sagrada Familia is far from being the oldest church, but it still fascinates people, locals and visitors alike, perhaps because there is something attractive about seeing history in the making. La Sagrada Familia is widely regarded as Gaudí’s masterpiece - from exterior to interior, Gaudí’s genius and vision is clear. The church’s three façades, Nativity, Passion, and Glory, are a masterclass in intricacy, and because it’s been in the process of construction for so long, it is also clear to see which parts of the building are old and weathered, and which are new and unmarred. However, it is the interior which truly shines - literally. When daylight filters in through the stained glass windows, it reveals the geometric detailing of the church’s interior, such as the roof of the nave, which was designed to mimic trees and branches, as well as the larger columns, which are uniquely Gaudí. The overall effect of the building can sometimes be dizzying, but is nonetheless breathtaking. Visitors usually pack the church during opening hours, and you will need to purchase tickets to enter the church. For those who would like to attend a mass, there is no charge, but space is limited, so be sure to come early.
