Barcelona’s Top 10 : Charming Churches & Chapels – Top 10 Catalan Saints & Virgins

1. Barcelona Cathedral

   Barcelona’s magnificent Gothic cathedral boasts an eye-catching façade and a peaceful cloister. 

2. Església de Santa Maria del Mar

   The
   elegant church of Santa Maria del Mar (1329–83) is one of the finest
   examples of Catalan Gothic, a style characterized by measured
   simplicity. A spectacular stained-glass rose window illuminates the
   lofty interior. 

3. Capella de Sant Miquel & Església al Monestir de Pedralbes

   Inside the

   Monestir de Pedralbes is a
   Gothic cloister and the Capella de Sant Miquel, decorated with
   murals by Catalan artist Ferrer Bassa in 1346. The adjoining
   Gothic church contains the alabaster tomb of Queen Elisenda, the monastery’s founder.

   • C/Baixada del Monestir 14

   • 
     Open Oct–Mar: 10am–2pm Tue–Sat, 10am–3pm Sun; Apr–Sep: 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, 10am–3pm Sun (church also open 7–8:30pm)
     

   
   

   
   
   

4. Església de Sant Pau del Camp

   Founded
   as a Benedictine monastery in the 9th century by Guifre II, a count of
   Barcelona, this church was rebuilt the following century. Its sculpted
   façade and intimate cloister with rounded arches bear all the trademarks
   of the Romanesque style. 

   
   

   
   
   

5. Església de Sant Pere de les Puelles

   Built in 801 as a chapel for troops stationed in Barcelona, this església
   later became a spiritual retreat for young noble women. The church was
   rebuilt in the 1100s and is notable today for its Romanesque central
   cupola and a series of capitals topped with carved leaves. Look out for
   two stone tablets depicting a Greek cross, which are from the original
   chapel.

   • Pl de Sant Pere

   • Open 8:45am–1pm, 5–7:30pm Mon–Fri; 8:45am–1pm, 4:30–6:30pm Sat; 10am–2pm Sun

6. Església de Santa Maria del Pi

   This lovely Gothic church with its ornate stained-glass windows graces Plaça del Pi with its elegant presence.

   • Pl del Pi

   • Open 9am–1:30pm & 4:30–9pm daily

   • DA

   
   

   
   
   

7. Capella de Santa Àgata

   Within the grand walls of the Palau Reial  is the medieval Capella de Santa Àgata, with its lovely stained glass windows and
   15th-century altarpiece.

   • Pl del Rei

   • Open 10am–8pm Tue–Sat (Oct–May: 10am–2pm, 4–7pm Tue–Sat), 10am–3pm Sun

   • (Oct–May closed 2–4pm)

   • Adm

   
   

   
   
   

   Gothic nave, Capella de Santa Àgata

8. Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor

   Mount
   Tibidabo is an appropriate perch for this huge, over-the-top Neo-Gothic
   church, topped with a gold Christ with outstretched arms. The name
   Tibidabo takes its meaning from the words, “I shall give you” (tibi dabo),
   uttered by the Devil in his temptation of Christ. Zealously serving the
   devoted, the priest here performs the Eucharist throughout the day.

   • Tibidabo

   • Open 10:30am–7:30pm daily

9. Capella de Sant Jordi

   Inside the Palau de la Generalitat is this fine 15th-century chapel, dedicated to Catalonia’s patron saint.

   • Pl Sant Jaume

   • Guided tours 10:30am– 1:30pm 2nd & 4th Sun of month

10. Església de Betlem

    La
    Rambla was once dotted with religious buildings, most built in the 17th
    and 18th centuries when the Catholic Church was flush with money. This
    església remains one of the most important functioning churches from this period.

    • C/Xuclà 2

    • Open 8am–1:30pm & 5:30–8pm daily

    • DA

Top 10 Catalan Saints & Virgins