The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia is a Gothic cathedral in Barcelona. Built between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, Santa Eulalia Barcelona is a major religious attraction in the city. Barcelona cathedrals and churches are known for their ornate exteriors and interiors, and Santa Eulalia is no exception. Many visitors are fascinated by the fact that the cathedral was built over the crypt of a former Visigothic chapel, which adds an extra layer of history to the attraction. The unusual name is derived from Eulalia, the co-patron saint of Barcelona who suffered during the Roman times. Visitors today arrive at the cathedral to see its beautiful architecture and one specific unique feature: the cloister.

The Gothic cloister of the Cathedral is home to an important symbol: thirteen white geese. The color white evokes a feeling of innocence, and the number thirteen signifies the age at which Eulalia was said to have been martyred. Today, the cloister is often praised as an oasis within Barcelona. Visitors are often impressed by the vaulted galleries, lush trees, and pond. The fragrant cloister is full of orange and palm trees, and of course, the famous white geese that have occupied the cloister for five centuries. During a trip to the cathedral you are sure to discover more than one theory as to how the geese came to live in the cloister and what they represent.

The crypt of the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia is also the final resting place of the patron saint of Barcelona. There are varying stories of the virgin daughter of an upper-class family, Santa Eulalia Barcelona, but they are all equally tragic. One story suggests that the 13-year-old, who was being tortured for her belief in religion, was forced to stand naked in the main square and that a miraculous spring snowfall covered her naked body. The story ends with enraged Romans murdering the child by putting her into a barrel with knives and rolling it down the street. Of all Barcelona cathedrals, this one reminds visitors of the past suffering and tragedy often intertwined with the history of Christianity in Europe.

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The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia is a dominant feature in the Ciutat Vella of Barcelona. The spire of the central tower reaches 230 feet high while the clock tower reaches more than 150 feet high. For many visitors, a favorite element of visiting Santa Eulalia Barcelona isn’t the outside, but the beautifully carved choir on the inside. After seeing the sarcophagus of Saint Eulalia in the crypt, take the elevator to the roof of the cathedral for excellent views of the Gothic quarter. Many travelers are fond of this cathedral at night as well, when it is brilliantly lit. If you plan to see this cathedral on Placa de la Seu by day and by night, you will be rewarded.

If you have a specific interest in Barcelona cathedrals and architecture, plan to take the guided tour. Entrance to the cathedral itself is free, and the building is open from 9 am to 1 pm and from 5 to 7 pm. The cloister museum has nominal entry fee and is open from 10 am to 1 pm and 4:30 to 6:30 pm. A ticket for the roof costs an additional two euros and is open from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 5 to 6:30 pm. To see everything and have a guided visit, the cost is four euros. Available daily from 1 to 4:30 pm, this type of visit includes the museum, choir, rooftop terraces, and tower. If you’re traveling on a budget, don’t worry—you can see all the beauty of this architectural landmark for free.