Some may argue that the famous Sagrada Familia church is the symbol of Barcelona. While Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Rome as the Coliseum, Barcelona has this stunning monument of a church. It's said to be the most visited site in all of the Catalan capital, which is pretty evident when you go on Instagram! The facade alone is nothing you'll see anywhere else. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, it features both art nouveau and Gothic influences. In a way, it symbolizes the duality of the city perfectly. Take a look inside and you'll see that it's even more beautiful with all the colors of the stained glass windows shining in the Mediterranean sunlight.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Not to be left behind, the Catedral de Barcelona also boasts of stunning architecture. With its perfectly symmetric facade, it's one of the most beautiful gothic structures that's still standing to this day. Some have even compared it to Paris's famous Notre Dame. But here, the design is a lot more severe. The church itself houses the remains of Saint Eulalia, and all throughout the interior, scenes of her life are depicted in magnificent paintings and frescos. This is why the cathedral is also often referred to as Santa Eulalia’s Cathedral. It's practically a monument to her extraordinary martyrdom.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Now, if you want to see a place that's really gothic, head on over to Plaça de Santa Maria. Here, the Basilica de Santa María del Mar proudly stands in the Ribera area, one of the more beautiful districts of Barcelona, as a monument to the saint of the sea. Built in the early 14th-century, is one of the oldest structures in all of Spain. And what's even more fascinating is that many of its features are still of the original from all those centuries ago. Though the interior is slightly bare compared to other churches on this list, it only allows more sunlight to come through and brighten the place up.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Sant Pau del Camp monastery is not exactly a church but it’s still incredibly beautiful nonetheless. Unlike the other solemn spots on this list, this place is a lot more intimate and peaceful. The overall structure is not as grand, but rather it evokes a homelier feel than the other monuments. But once you go inside, you'll see just how unique this site is. Its halls and corridors all display Romanesque designs and architecture, from the miles upon miles of arches to the beautiful pillars that decorate the cloisters. It's as if two countries with some of the most beautiful architectural disciplines joined forces to make this stunning monastery.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
It's always quite the sight to see two entirely different structures combined to make one beautiful landmark. And this is what happened with the Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús up on Tibidabo mountain. Near the mountain's famous amusement park stands this hybrid of classic gothic architecture and simple modern design. And yet, even though both styles could not go any further apart from each other, the combination still works. The blend doesn't look awkward, but in fact, looks very Catalonian. No wonder this church remains in its high position on a mountain. It proudly presents the best of the area's artistic and architectural capabilities.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Basílica de Santa María del Pi
Don't take the Santa Maria del Pi for granted! If you visit there, revel in the beauty of the church. It has so much more to offer than you might even realize. For one thing, it implicitly stands out against the more elaborate landmarks of its kind. Furthermore, the church contains one of the most beautiful gardens in all of the city, one that rivals even those in Rome, Paris, and more! The stretch of green filled with roses makes it an excitingly romantic place to visit with your partner. And if that's not enough, they even display a relic of Christ's crown of thrown, said to part of what the deity actually wore on the cross.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes
Similar to Sant Pau del Camp the Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes is also a beautiful monastery that's a welcome change from the ornate churches of Barcelona. But not so fast, as in its own way, the monastery is a little extravagant as well. Not necessarily in structure and architecture, but rather in color and graphics. The landmark's beautiful cloisters made use of classic Catalan gothic style to enchant visitors as they walk around and tour the site. And in one of the gardens, an area is made up of a sparkling mosaic. A harmonious clash of colors to really entice the eyes.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Despite its reputation as a liberated hub of modernity, Barcelona still has a few historic monuments to show off. A lot of them are even churches. Shines, cathedrals, and monasteries all designed and built to show off the city's signature artistry.
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