Barcelona Cathedral

I was not sure what to expect when it comes to this Cathedral. It looks very pretty from the outside but that is all sort of "Fake" since it was all added on the last 1800's because that was the style of the time. (the neo-Gothic façade was constructed over the undistinguished exterior that was common to Catalan churches) Apparently, this Cathedral was more of a shoe box look to it prior to all the Neo-Gothic structures that were added. I saw some churches in that style throughout the city (Which was kind of interesting). They were not necessarily, "pleasing to the eye" on the outside but when you went inside, they were pretty impressive architecturally speaking. This particular Cathedral was constructed in 1298 and is in the style of a gothic cathedral however the chapels inside the church are Baroque. It cost about 16 euros to get in, but I think it was totally worth it if you're into looking at old catholic history. (Which I am).

The cathedral is dedicated to the Holy Cross and Eulalia of Barcelona, co-patron saint of Barcelona, a young virgin martyr who, according to Catholic tradition, suffered martyrdom during Roman times in the city. One story says that she was exposed naked in the public square and a miraculous snowfall in mid-spring covered her nudity. The enraged Romans put her into a barrel with knives stuck into it and rolled it down a street (according to tradition, the one now called Baixada de Santa Eulàlia). The relics of Saint Eulalia are entombed in the cathedral's crypt.

The cloister, which encloses the Well of the Geese (Font de les Oques), was completed in 1448. I actually thought this was one of the cooler cloister's that I have ever seen. It was sort of dank, very lush with palm trees and very quiet. I actually spent some time just sitting in this space to take it all in.