Description
Description
Tour and exclusive entrance to the Basilica of La Mercè, the “Catedral del Mar”, the Cathedral of Barcelona and the Church of Sant Felip Neri, to enter with an official guide, who will accompany you through these magnificent Gothic, Neo-Gothic and Baroque buildings, explaining the history they keep: doors that currently give to the void, works of art where the physiognomy of Sant Felip Neri corresponds to Gaudí… among others.
Cathedrals and Basilicas. Do you know where the difference is? Mainly, the difference is that the cathedral is the headquarter of the bishop and his capitol. This makes, from the point of view of the religious hierarchy, the cathedral the most important place within a diocese, however, a basilica can be larger and more majestic than some cathedrals.
CATHEDRAL OF BARCELONA: Previously there was a Paleo-Christian basilica of the 4th century. Later there was a Romanesque church, which was demolished but there still remains the chapel of Saint Lucia and later, the Gothic Cathedral, where the Holy Cross began to rise in 1298 thanks to the contributions of the most modest faithful and the Catalan bourgeoisie. Of this, today, only the baptistery is preserved.
The Piedad Desplá, a Gothic altarpiece with a Renaissance feel that dates back to the 15th century and is the masterpiece of the Cordovan painter Bartolomé Bermejo. A work that has been in the Prado Museum for years and that, since 2017, the Cathedral of Barcelona has recovered, is well worth a visit.
On the other hand, the interior of the Cathedral of Barcelona, considered one of the first examples of Catalan Gothic style, is composed of three naves of the same height, two side naves and a central one twice as large as the lateral ones, and numerous chapels along the sections of the aisles. At the entrance of the cathedral, we find the baptismal font, one of the few preserved elements of the ancient Roman basilica, and the chapel of Christ of Lepanto, one of the most important and most devout images of the cathedral. The space surrounding the altar has the Exaltation of the Cross, surrounded by six angels and, under the presbytery, we find the crypt, where the remains of Saint Eulalia, patron saint of Barcelona until the 12th century, are preserved. Do you know why later on, the Virgin of La Mercè became the patron saint of Barcelona?
BASILICA OF LA MERCÈ: The Basilica of the Virgin of La Mercè is a church of baroque style, dedicated to the patron saint of the city of Barcelona and it is located in the Plaza de la Mercè, in the Gothic Quarter. The construction began in 1765 and, ten years later, in 1775 it was inaugurated. Church with a single nave, with chapels located on the buttresses, four vaulted arches and a dome.
The Basilica of La Mercè is one of the most important spiritual and artistic attractions of Barcelona, as well as the international reference point of Marian piety.
In 1868, the Virgin of La Mercè became the official patron saint of the city, a title that Santa Eulalia had previously held alone.
“CATEDRAL DEL MAR”: The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, a church with Gothic architecture, was built in a record time of 54 years, taking into account that this type of buildings usually took an average of 100 years to be completed.
Santa María del Mar, emblematic symbol of Barcelona, is characterized by its austerity and simplicity compared to other Gothic temples of Northern Europe and, it is considered to be the best example of Catalan Gothic Style in Catalonia.
CHURCH OF SANT FELIP NERI: The Church of Sant Felip Neri, presided over by the figure of the Saint, was formerly a dependency of the convent of the “Congregation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri”, established in 1673. Completed in 1750, this Baroque church is very unique. It is a building with a single nave with a transept and a rectangular apse, the side chapels with neoclassical altars have paintings by Joan Llimona, brother of the sculptor Josep Llimona i Bruguera and, very close friends of Antoni Gaudí, who accepted to be a model of several works, such as the transept of the church of Sant Felipe Neri in Barcelona in 1902, where it is appreciated that the physiognomy of the saint corresponds to Antoni Gaudí.
What´s included:
Tickets to the Basilica of La Mercè, “Catedral del Mar”, Cathedral of Barcelona and Church of Sant Felip Neri.
Guided tour.
An official tour guide means exclusivity for you. Not shared with other visitors.
Audio guides.
We are a travel agency, civil liability insurance included.
Price: To Consult
Duration: Minimum 4 hours.
Not included:
Transportation from pick up point and back.
Extras: Aperitif or lunch.
How to get to the Cathedral of Barcelona in Public Transport?
You can get to Barcelona’s Cathedral in Metro and Bus. These are the closest lines:
Metro: L4. Station: Jaume I
Bus: 47, 120, V15, V17. Station: Via Laietana – Pl. Ramon Berenguer
TIMETABLE
| From | To | Activity |
| 09:30 | 09:45 | Preparation and explanatory welcome of the tour. |
| 10:00 | 10:45 | Visit to the Basilica of La Mercè. |
| 10:45 | 11:30 | Visit to the Catedral del Mar |
| 11:30 | 12:00 | Coffee break, tea, water… |
| 12:15 | 13:00 | Visit to the Cathedral of Barcelona |
| 13:15 | 13:30 | Visit to the Church of Sant Felip Neri |
CONDITIONS AND REMARKS
Minimum number of participants: 2 pax and maximum 6 pax
This tour is only on request.
Opening times:
Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
From October to March from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
From April to September from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This offer is exclusive and upon prior request to BarcelonArt of Travel©.
It reserves the right to suspend or modify the activity when the weather and security conditions so require. In case of inclement weather, we will propose the change of the activity in its entirety by another date, to be agreed, with an advance notice of 5 days.
Once the booking is made, you will receive a document with weather information to prevent any type of meteorological incident.
Prices for larger groups on demand.
