Santa Maria del Mar
Santa Maria del Mar
Santa Maria del Mar
THE CATHEDRAL OF THE SEA
Probably the most elegant church in Barcelona has its place in the middle of the Born quarter. A visit is also worthwhile in order to be able to enjoy a great view from the roof over the old town to the sea.
My Rating:
The positives:
A great example of the Catalan Gothic! You might know the book 'Cathedral of the Sea' - well that's the church!
The negatives:
They close the church over midday for the guided tours. So if you don't want to participate for a guide tour you have to come back later.
Tip:
Secure a ticket for the tour in advance!
Last Modified: 07.09.2026 | Céline
Santa Maria del Mar
Guided Tour
The details
at a glance
Prices
EUR 5 admission for the inside visit.
EUR 10 admission for the inside visit and tower.
Santa Maria del Mar
Photo Gallery
What is there
to see?
The Santa Maria del Mar is a great example of Catalan Gothic architecture. It was funded by donations from citizens of the Born district, also known as La Ribera. This makes it special enough to be featured in the book “Cathedral of the Sea”, written by Ildefonso Falcones.
Upon entering, you will see a beautiful nave with matching Catholic ornamentation. The decoration is not exactly lavish, and some of it isn’t even original any more due to a great fire in 1936. Many sculptures were lost in the fire, as was the main altar. Nevertheless, the ambience is one of a kind – prepare to be amazed.
At designated times, the crypt and a small, separate chapel can be visited as well – but you’ll have to take the tour in order to see them.
Should you have the time, I would definitely recommend the architecture tour with a visit to the roof. It covers all the details on the church’s inception and construction as well as its architectural features. And at the end, you’re rewarded with a fantastic view of the city.
Santa Maria del Mar
A bit of History
The church itself was built between 1329 and 1383 – that’s only 54 years! Considering the times, that’s a record. Even nowadays, things seem to take longer, just look at the Sagrada Familia!
The 14th century was the heyday of Catalan sea trade. As a result, the Vilanova del Mar district (now known as La Ribera) was inhabited mostly by sailors, merchants, and other craftsmen. Due to the district’s booming trade and subsequent wealth, the people demanded a larger church to match their status. The Church then gave its permission, and the merchants provided the funds. King Pere III allowed the use of stones from his personal quarry on the Montjuic. The “Bastaixos”, known from the book “The Cathedral of the Sea”, then transported the stones via boat and their backs, all the way from the quarry to the church. To this day, little images on the main gate honor the stone bearers. Keep an eye out for this detail!
Oficial website of Santa Maria del Mar (EN): santamariadelmarbarcelona.org
Text- and Image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2016 – 2026
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