CATHEDRAL Interior - Nave And Choir

2:36

As soon as you enter the Cathedral, you're in a large, single space that is both fascinating and quite solemn. The large church is divided into three naves of the same length, although the middle one is much wider than the side naves. Strong clustered columns support crossed vaults. You'll notice the extreme simplicity of the interior compared to the façade's decorations, with light filtered by the 15th-century stained glass windows.

Various chapels open up from the side naves, which are all closed by opulent fences and rich in artwork and monumental tombs: together they offer a beautiful example of Catalan painting and sculpture. The first chapel on the right is from the 15th century: it is very large and once held the canons. The altar depicts Sant Crist de Lepant, the wooden Crucifix that dominated the bow of the Spanish flagship at the battle of Lepanto in 1571. If you look closely, you'll note that Jesus is in a curved position: according to the ancient tale, he moved over slightly to dodge a cannonball! I'd also like to point out Bishop St. Olegario's tomb that was built at the beginning of the 1400s by the sculptor Pere Ça Anglada, to whom we owe the Cathedral's best decorations.

Going along the central nave, stop to admire the beautiful wooden choir that was started in the late 1300s and completed in the following century by Catalan and German sculptors. The pulpit is also from the same era. The 61 seats are arranged in two rows and depict scenes from the Passion and Death of Christ. You can see coats of arms on the seats, which are from the Order of the Golden Fleece; in fact, members of the sacred brotherhood gathered right here in 1519 in the presence of the newly elected Emperor, Charles V. The Bishop's chair in the center is from the 1300s, and is surmounted by a tower with a dome that illuminates the Cathedral's interior.

The gate surrounding the choir is an elegant Italian-inspired Renaissance work created by a Spaniard who followed Michelangelo: its bas-reliefs depict scenes from the life of Saint Eulalia.

 

FUN FACT: go look at the beautiful 15th-century baptistry in white Carrara marble  on the left, near the Cathedral's entrance. According to tradition, the first Indians from the Americas were baptized here after Christopher Columbus' discovery.

 

TravelMate recommends
Choose the option
that suits you
Buy Barcelona
Permanently unlock the app with all content of Barcelona for
€ 8,99
Buy
Promotion
Unlock audio content of all available cities for 3 years at the promotional price
€ 19,99
Buy
Don't miss out!
BARCELONA INTRODUCTION
1 Audio

BARCELONA INTRODUCTION

In Roman times, Barcelona was already a political and cultural center of considerable importance in the Mediterranean area, at least until 1300, but it was not until the last two centuries that this...
THE WONDERS OF LOCAL CUISINE
1 Audio

THE WONDERS OF LOCAL CUISINE

A must-have snack or starter is jamon, or ham. The finest quality variety is jamon serrano, from pigs fed with a particular kind of acorns.Barcelona has a Mediterranean cuisine, featuring many...
SAGRADA FAMILIA
4 Audio

SAGRADA FAMILIA

The architect began to work on the church starting in 1883, transforming it into a perpetual construction site and proposing incredibly exceptional architectural and decorative solutions. And it is...
RAMBLA
4 Audio

RAMBLA

Celebrated in many novels, works of art, and big and small screen movies, the Rambla fully sums up the spirit of this lively town, and taking a walk along this avenue that runs about one kilometer to...
CASA BATLLÓ
1 Audio

CASA BATLLÓ

Your visit starts in the atrium, which Gaudí conceived as an underwater cavity, lit by skylights that resemble turtle shells. From here you go to the glittering inner courtyard: despite the...
CATHEDRAL
6 Audio

CATHEDRAL

You're now at the highest point of the Gothic Quarter in an area full of archaeological remains; in fact a church had already stood here before the Christian era, but it was destroyed just before the...
PEDRERA
2 Audio

PEDRERA

Among other modernist - style residences, Pedrera takes the place of honor at the center of the so-called "Quadrat d'Or", which is the most elegant area of Barcelona with its late...
GÜELL PARK
2 Audio

GÜELL PARK

As I have already said a few times, Gaudí never considered any of his works completely "finished". Everything was shaped and changed in time and space. The architect almost never made...
GOTHIC QUARTER
2 Audio

GOTHIC QUARTER

In the centuries following the year one thousand, a series of urban planning interventions gave a new face to the old center of Barcelona, transforming it into a treasure trove of buildings and works...
BARCELONETA
2 Audio

BARCELONETA

The neighborhood was built on the artificial embankment that had been created with the debris and discarded stones from the construction of the harbor jetties. It is characterized by high, colorful...
MONTJUÏC
5 Audio

MONTJUÏC

According to another theory, the name comes from a Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter. Long abandoned, the hill was again populated in 1929 when it was decided to set up the Expo pavilions here.This...
JOAN MIRÓ FOUNDATION
2 Audio

JOAN MIRÓ FOUNDATION

The building standing before you is a great gift that Barcelona's most important 20th century artist and original exponent of surrealism gave to his hometown. In fact, he himself wanted a gallery and...
PICASSO MUSEUM
3 Audio

PICASSO MUSEUM

You're now in front of the museum located at No. 19, Via Carrer de la Montcada, a medieval street that winds through the Gothic Quarter and dates back to around the middle of the 1100s. The Picasso...
CAMP NOU
2 Audio

CAMP NOU

The stadium was built in the 1950s and expanded for the World Cup in 1982. This "New Field" is the third stadium that's been built for the city's main team, which didn't have enough room in...
PASSEIG DE GRÀCIA
2 Audio

PASSEIG DE GRÀCIA

The avenue starts from Plaça de Catalunya and connects the old town with Gràcia, cutting the Eixample quarter exactly in half, which was the "Extension" added to the city in...
SANTA MARIA DEL MAR
1 Audio

SANTA MARIA DEL MAR

This 14th century church, which is also one of the most beautiful Catalan Gothic style churches, contends for the affection of both locals and tourists along with the Cathedral and Sagrada Familia.Can...
PLAÇA DEL REI
2 Audio

PLAÇA DEL REI

The buildings that face it belong to the Royal Palace complex and are, for the most part, occupied by MUHBA, the Barcelona City History Museum.But let's concentrate on the exterior for now. The...
PEDRALBES
2 Audio

PEDRALBES

You should know that Queen Elisenda de Moncada, the fourth wife of the king of Catalonia, decided to found a monastery here that was devoted to the Virgin Mary, and entrusted it to the Clarisse nuns,...
PLAÇA SANT JAUME
2 Audio

PLAÇA SANT JAUME

On its two opposite sides which almost face each other, you can see two important buildings: to the south side is the Ajuntament, or Town Hall, and on the northern side is Palau de la Generalitat, the...
SANTA MARIA DEL PI
1 Audio

SANTA MARIA DEL PI

As usual, your visit begins with the church's exterior, looking at the austere façade overlooking Plaça del Pi. Massive and powerful, the church has two side gussets. Look at the huge...
AQUARIUM
1 Audio

AQUARIUM

Before going inside, I recommend strolling along the Rambla del Mar, which is sometimes raised to allow large yachts to pass, and visiting the Maremagnum, a collection of shops, bars, and...
PALACE OF CATALAN MUSIC
1 Audio

PALACE OF CATALAN MUSIC

Built in 1908, this building is a masterpiece of so-called "modernism", that is, Barcelona's version of Art Nouveau. It was built as a musical theater, but the architectural and decorative...
MUSEO MARITIM
1 Audio

MUSEO MARITIM

In the 1800s, the arsenals were used for military exercises and to make weapons. But in 1941 civilian authorities took the sites back and founded a naval museum.Your visit begins in the garden, where...
MUSEO MARES
1 Audio

MUSEO MARES

The building you are in, in Plaça de Sant Iu, is the old palace of the counts of Barcelona, where the museum was inaugurated in the middle of the last century. Crossing the tree-lined...
BARCINO
1 Audio

BARCINO

Your pedestrian itinerary, which is entirely within the Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter, will follow the perimeter of Barcino starting from Plaça de la Vila de Madrid. Here you are just...
TravelMate App
DOWNLOAD NOW
THE TRAVELMATE APP
Purchase your activation code, download the TravelMate App, and turn your smartphone into your personal travel companion!
Listen to audio guides about the wonders of the world with TravelMate.
HAVE FUN!