About the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona:
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar (also known as the “Cathedral of La Ribera) was designed by Berenguer de Montagut and was the place of worship for the shipwrights and merchants of Gothic Barcelona. The basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona is one of the most perfect examples of Gothic style architecture. One of the reasons for this is the fact that it was built in a relatively short time; 55 years, from 1329 to 1384. This might seem like a long period of time for those of us today, but in the middle ages it took long periods of time to build cathedrals such as this…..often more that a century…so that those who started its construction likely might not still be alive at its completion. As a result of this long time period, architectural styles changed during construction so that many churches had more than one style by the time they were completed.
But that was not the case here. The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar is the the only surviving church in the pure Catalan Gothic style. Its structure comprises three naves of the same height, underpinned by very tall columns set 42 feet apart, a distance greater any other existing medieval building. This gives the impression of great width, height and airiness, helped by the many stained-glass windows in the church.
Among those windows, the window of the Ascension in the chapel of Santa Maria and the Lavabo in the chapel of Sant Rafael, as well as the rose window are some of the most outstanding examples of the church. The Rose Window was destroyed during the earthquake that shook Barcelona in 1428, and remade in the mid-15th century.
If you look at the floor you’ll see private tombs and those of Barcelona’s medieval guilds and brotherhoods.
From the rooftops of the Basilica you can enjoy Barcelona from a privileged perspective that helps to understand the medieval urban framework and the structure of the city center. A 360º vision that will not leave you indifferent.
Visiting the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona:
Address: Plaça de Santa Maria 1, Barcelona
Click here for the official website of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona
