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Santa Maria del Mar

1 Plaça de Santa Maria, Barcelona, Catalunya

Description

Santa Maria del Mar ("Saint Mary of the Sea") is a 14th century church designed in the Catalan Gothic style in El Born neighbourhood, Barcelona. Unlike other churches at the time, its construction was financially backed by the common people (the background to the best-seller La Catedral del Mar) Massive looking from outside, the interior feels very spacious but is almost devoid of any imagery, mostly because of the fire set by anti-clerical rioters in 1936.

Access & Transport

The Basilica is located in between the Jaume I and Barceloneta metro stations on the L4, each is about 300m away. The nearest bus stops are along Passeig d'Isabel II and Via Laietana, about 2' walk away.

Instructions & Recommendations

Note the split visiting hours with a gap in the afternoon and that children under 8 are not allowed on to the tower and terraces. We recommend combining a visit there with the Picasso Museum, a discovery of the El Born neighbourhood or, a bit further, Barceloneta Beach or the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Meta review

The church has become popular with international tourists thanks to the Netflix adaptation of the novel "La Catedral del Mar". Accordingly, reviews tend to be quite skewed as compared to other churches because visitors have a better understanding and stronger connection to the building. Besides the history of Santa Maria del Mar, most positive reviews relate to the spacious interior and the interesting neighbourhood whereas most negative reviews point out the lack of decoration inside or complain about having to pay an entrance fee.

Environmental & Social

Environmentally neutral. The entrance fee helps preserve this historic building, part of the city's architectural heritage.

Conclusion

The Basilica Santa Maria del Mar makes for an excellent cultural activity for those who happen to be in El Born or Gothic Quarter neighbourhoods, or those who have read the novel about its construction. It is not the most impressive church in the city but has an impressive, unified exterior and there is a great sense of space once inside.

Key positive

Interesting background history with the local porters (bastaixos)

Located in an interesting neighbourhood

Key negative

Lack of decoration / art inside

Suitability

No religious denomination restrictions. Only the ground floor and the chapel are accessible for wheelchair users

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 35m

est. visit time:1h

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 20:30

Tuesday10:00 - 20:30

Wednesday10:00 - 20:30

Thursday10:00 - 20:30

Friday10:00 - 20:30

Saturday10:00 - 20:30

Sunday10:00 - 20:30

Pricing
Visit of the Basilica, museum and crypt (not the tower and terraces)
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€5
Adult
10 - 64
€5
Child
3 - 9
€0
Infant
0 - 2
€0
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult

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