Page 154 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

152  BARCEL ONA

7 Barcelona Cathedral

This compact Gothic cathedral, with a Romanesque
chapel (Capella de Santa Llúcia) and beautiful cloister,
was begun in 1298 under Jaime (Jaume) II, on the
foundations of a site dating back to Visigothic times.
It was not finished until the late 19th century, when
the main façade was completed. The cathedral is
dedicated to St Eulàlia, the city’s patron saint, whose
white marble sarcophagus is located in the crypt.
Next to the font, a plaque records the baptism of
six Caribbean Indians, whom Columbus brought
back from the Americas in 1493.

Nave Interior
The Catalan-style Gothic interior
has a single wide nave with 28 side
chapels. These are set between the
columns supporting the vaulted
ceiling, which rises to 26 m (85 ft).

KEY
1 The Capella del Santíssim
Sagrament houses the 16th-century
Christ of Lepanto crucifix.
2 The main façade was not
completed until 1889, and the
central spire until 1913. It was
faithfully based on the original
1408 plans of the French architect
Charles Galters.
3 The twin octagonal bell towers
date from 1386–93. The bells were
installed in this tower in 1545.
4 The Sacristy Museum has a . Choir Stalls
small treasury. Pieces include an The top tier of the
11th-century font, tapestries and beautifully carved
liturgical artifacts. 15th-century stalls
contains the coats
5 Porta de Santa Eulàlia, of arms (1518) of
entrance to Cloisters the 12 knights
6 Capella de Santa Llúcia of the Order of
Toisón del Oro.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp564–5 and pp586–8

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