How to visit and what to see at the Cathedral of the Sea (Barcelona): schedules, prices

Those of you who know me know that lately I have been fascinated by romanesque architecture, compared to the preferred taste for Gothic that I have always had.

This is what has led me to discover the Pre-Romanesque and Asturian Romanesque o great Romanesque basilicas like Saint Sernin in Toulouse or the Conques Abbey, both in the south of France.

But also charming hermitages like that of Urueña in the Valladolid province.

On the other hand, I like less and less the exuberant Baroque architecture, with some exceptions.

On the other hand, now I am attracted by the sobriety that you find in a small Romanesque church like the one mentioned among the many that you can find, for example, in Castilla y Leon.

However, one of the churches that has impressed me the most for its beauty in recent times is Gothic architecture.

This is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, which I discovered in one of my most recent trips to Barcelona.

With a different configuration than the large ones gothic cathedrals, stands out for combining in its interior the great height and slenderness of its nave with the sobriety of the so-called Catalan Gothic.

Curiosities about the history of Santa María del Mar in Barcelona

Santa Maria del Mar It was built in a very short time, in just 55 years, compared to the long time, even centuries, that was customary to dedicate to the construction of large Gothic cathedrals.

Located in the Ribera neighborhood, between the port and the Born district, construction began in 1329, and due to its location it is also known as Ribera Cathedral.

It was going to be the exponent of the great boom of merchant bourgeoisiel that had been established in this area outside the original wall of the Roman city.

Built with the contribution and even the work of said bourgeoisie, the initial purpose was to build a more splendorous church than the Seo, current Gothic cathedral of Barcelona, which was also being built at the same time.

In fact Santa Maria del Mar It soon became known as the cathedral of the sea.

When my friends from Barcelona suggested that I go visit her, they already told me that Santa Maria del Mar It was prettier, and after getting to know it I can tell you that it is a beautiful church, with an unusual configuration.

As you approach the basilica, well from the gothic quarter or from the Barceloneta, next to the port, between the narrow streets of this neighborhood you can see one of its two erections octagonal towers.

From the outside it is difficult to have a complete perspective of the building.

La church of Santa María del Mar It is sandwiched between streets and small squares, but that does not prevent the façade from drawing your attention due to the artistic ensemble formed by the aforementioned towers, the gothic cover and imposing rose window.

What to see when visiting the Cathedral of the Sea

The massive appearance of the building does not allow you to guess the feeling of great slenderness that its interior shows.

There are three naves, but the side ones are almost the same height as the central one, so it will give you the feeling that Santa Maria del Mar It has only one ship.

This configuration is in some ways similar, for example, to that of the cathedral of Palma de Mallorca, although this one shows a taller and more robust image.

In the case of the Barcelona Sea Cathedral Its tall octagonal columns, 18 meters high, but above all the great separation between them, 13 meters, the largest you can find in a Gothic building, help convey that image of great slenderness.

This sensation is greater due to the presence of numerous stained glass windows that occupy the walls of the iglesia.

On the other hand, in the altar area the slender columns swirl at the head of the church forming a lush and characteristic forest that highlights the altar.

There you will see the size of Santa Maria next to which there is a caravel.

In general, the interior has a fairly sober appearance, but this is largely due to the fact that at the beginning of the Civil War Numerous artistic elements that were in the basilica were destroyed by a fire, such as a Gothic choir or a large baroque altar.

From what I said at the beginning, I don't miss this last element at all, which I fear would have broken the charm of the interior of the house. Santa María del Mar church.

Visiting hours of the Cathedral of the Sea

Before your visit, you should know that the Hours of the Basilica of Santa María del Mar For cultural visits they are, Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.

For its part, on Sundays and holidays you can visit it from 13,30:18 p.m. to XNUMX p.m.

Cathedral of the Sea ticket prices

Apart from being able to walk through the interior of the basilica, you have the option of cultural visit of the Cathedral of the Sea which includes the museum and crypt, with a price of 5 euros.

If you also want climb the towers and terraces, the price of the visit is 10 euros.

Tours and guided visits in Barcelona

Finally, if your trip to Barcelona you prefer to start it by signing up for a complete tour of Barcelona in a group with guide in spanish, here you have the guided tour information, with all the details of it, and which is done in a full day of 4,30 hours.

You can also sign up for this Tour of medieval Barcelona that has to Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar as the main axis of this guided tour that lasts two hours.

• And here you have more information about tours and excursions in Barcelona.

Pictures of Santa Maria del Mar

Here you have more photos of the Basilica of Santa María del Mar in Barcelona, with both exterior and interior images.