Basilica De Santa Maria Del Mar, Barcelona

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The church presents only one real Catalan Gothic style in Barcelona (without any other styles mixed). The church of Santa Maria del Mar was constructed between 1329 and 1383.

Interior of church is quite elegant, not a heavy gothic. Lot of stain glass windows take lots of light inside. Very recommend to see it.

The funds for this church was giver by ship-builders and merchants, so that why the name of it shows respect of the sea - "del Mar".

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It's one of the most beautiful Gothic church in town. It was built in the 14th Century like a cathedral for sailors and merchants with the modest contribution of them. Its popular construction has inspired the best seller "The Cathedral of the Sea" by Ildefonso Falcones. The external structure is completly perfect: its main nave has 13 metres and each of the side ones has exactly 6'5 metres. The whole width of the church is the same than the height of the side naves and the difference between them and the main one is 6'5 metres, as the width of them.
The main façade has an impressive Gothic rose window from the 15th Century, the sculptures of St. Peter and St. Paul and two belfries.

Esta es una de las iglesias góticas más bonitas de la ciudad. Fue erigida en el siglo XIV como si fuera una catedral para marineros y mercaderes con modestas contribuciones por parte de ellos. Su construcción popular ha inspirado el best seller "La Catedral del Mar" de Ildefonso Falcones. La estructura externa es completamente perfecta: su nave central tiene 13 metros y cada una de las laterales 6'5 metros exactamente. La anchura total de la iglesia es igual a la altura de las naves laterales, y la diferencia entre estas y la central es de 6'5 metros. La fachada principal tiene un impresionante rosetón gótico del siglo XV, esculturas de San Pedro y San Pablo y dos campanarios.

The Basilic of Santa Maria del Mar is one of the most important buildings in the Catalan Gothic style. An austere exterior, the decoration is kept to the two main doorways.

The interior of the church is beautiful in its austerity and simplicity. The plain stonework of the apse with its many windows and columns acts like a beacon contrasting with the darkness of the nave. Like the Església de Betlem, its interior was gutted during the Spanish Civil War, but the removal of the stalls and screens only increases the interior's beauty and simplicity.

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I liked very much this catalan gothic church with the most funniest guard ever (he started to clap his hands and move the giant keys so the visitors to understand he was going to lock the church!).
The church supposed to have an excellent acoustic but I wasn’t lucky enough to hear any choir on my visit (I’ve been told about jazz concerts here also!). The simplicity of the interior was impressive because of the darkness and the windows high on the top. It was built on 14th century and the rose window is one of the highlights.

It is opened 9.00-13:30, 16.30-20.00 daily and the entrance is free.

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One of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic architecture, the Basílica Santa Maria del Mar dominates El Born in Old Barcelona. The basilica dates back to the 14th century, though the magnificent rose window and the two octagonal towers were added in the 15th century after an earthquakes necessitated some restoration work. Surrounding the church is the extensive pedestrianised area of El Born, the trendy part of the city with many boutiques, tapas bars and cafés.

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The Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar was built in the 14th century. It took only 55 years to built it, which was fast in those years. Because it didn’t take very long to built the church it is not constructed in different styles, which many other churches are, but is built entirely in Catalan Gothic style. The ceiling is high in the central nave and the two aisles. There are some fine stained-glass windows, for example a round rose window on the west façade with the coronation of the Virgin. The interior is simple in it’s decoration. It was so from the beginning, but has been so even more since a fire during the Civil War.
I liked the church very much, the architecture and the atmosphere. There was organ music playing and along the walls in the aisles were tables with candles, all burning in red cups.
The church is open between 9 - 13.30 and 16 - 20.

I went to this church in the evening. Inside it was lit up only so much as to show the marvellous architecture and sparse decorations as stained glass windows and sculptures. Everything was quiet in an expecting, not sordid, way. The interior of this church really moved me and when I visited it in daytime this Catalan Gothic basilica is really imposing. Don´t miss it! They give concerts here sometimes, go check it out, the acoustics must be fantastic.

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Located in the La Ribera district, at the southern end of Passeig del Born, is the lovely Esglesia de Santa Maria del Mar. Thought of as one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic architecture, this 14th century church dominates the little Placa de Santa Maria.

The church is dedicated to Saint Mary of the Sea, the patron saint of sailors, and an ancient model ship hangs inside. It took just over 55 years to build which was an amazing effort in those days. The quick construction meant that they stayed true to the gothic style.

The interior is quite plain - not helped by the fact that it was gutted by anarchists in both 1909 and 1936. It has a large central nave and a multitude of octagonal pillars.

Take some time out inside the church as it is such a calming place. Apparently it is Barcelona's most popular wedding spot!

Opening hours: Daily from 9am-1.30pm (Sunday 10am-2pm), and from 4.30pm-8pm