he Church of Santa Maria del Mar (Santa Maria del Mar – Church of Saint Mary of the Sea) in Barcelona is located on a quiet street in the historic La Ribera district, near the old port.
History of Construction
The church was built between 1329 and 1383, in just 55 years—a record short time for such a structure. By comparison, the Barcelona Cathedral took 122 years to build. If it weren’t for the misfortune that occurred during construction, the church would have been completed even earlier: in 1379, a fire destroyed a significant part of it. It took 4 years to restore, and on November 3, 1383, it was finally built. It was consecrated in August of the following year, and masses began to be held.
The site for construction was chosen for a reason. Until the 10th century, the Church of Santa Maria del Aréns stood here, where the remains of the martyr Eulalia, the beloved saint and patroness of Barcelona, were secretly kept. After the relics were found, it was decided to build the church of Santa Maria del Mar on this sacred site.
The cornerstone of the modern church was laid on March 25, 1329. The King of Aragon, Alfonso IV, was present at the laying. This event is commemorated with Latin and Catalan inscriptions on either side of the entrance door. From the monarch’s perspective, this was a tribute to the divine forces for the country’s prosperity and Spain’s leading position on the sea in the 14th century.
The La Ribera district has long been known as a place where common folk lived: artisans, sailors, fishermen, shipbuilders, port laborers, and traders. The church was built with their funds and efforts. The lives of these people depended on the capricious marine elements, so everyone wanted to contribute to the construction of the church in honor of the Sea Madonna—the patroness and protector of sailors.
The seaside poor decided to build “their maritime church,” which would outshine the luxurious Cathedral being built at that time, intended for the royal family, church, and secular nobility. It was a true people’s building, with everyone participating: merchants and artisans donated money, port laborers, and fishermen carried stones from the Montjuïc mountain quarries. Their hard work is immortalized on the main entrance gates: figures of people bent under the weight of heavy stone blocks. Here you can also see the emblem of the port workers’ guild.
Architecture
The project was designed by the talented architect Berenguer de Montagut. He designed the cathedral, which is one of the few examples of the pure Catalan Gothic style. Unlike the European Gothic style, the Catalan style is more minimalist: it does not impress with pomp, soaring spires and towers, stone lace, and bas-reliefs.
The façade of the Church of Santa Maria del Mar, made of gray stone, features horizontal smooth surfaces with minimal decorations. There is no vertical orientation in the building’s design. Outwardly it is strict, squat, somewhat massive, and seems small. In fact, its dimensions are 80*33 meters, and the height of the central nave is 33 meters. Two octagonal bell towers, installed at the edges of the building, are 40 meters high, ending with flat horizontal tops.
The stained glass windows of the building are very beautiful. Above the semicircular arched entrance is the only bright decoration of the cathedral—a magnificent large rose window dating from 1459. The façade features many pointed arches and stained glass windows.
On the arch of the central vault are carved figures and patterns. In the niche above the entrance gates sits Christ the Savior on a throne, with the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist bowing low before him. In niches on either side are sculptures of the apostles Peter and Paul. But the main secret of the cathedral, showcasing the architect’s genius, is inside the building. All who enter the church stop, struck by the contrast: the gloomy exterior walls conceal a vast, bright interior space filled with soft radiant light.
The lightness and airiness of the structure are provided by 18 slender high octagonal columns supporting the flat 33-meter vault. Their rare rows, 13 meters apart, visually divide the cathedral into three symmetrical naves. The height of the central and side naves is approximately the same. This gives volume and unity to the space, making it appear as a single entity.
Interior Decoration
The church’s interior is very minimalist. This is because a large amount of the church’s valuable property was irretrievably lost: over the years, various upheavals destroyed the basilica. One of the greatest misfortunes occurred during the civil war in July 1936. The church was set on fire and burned for several days.
The magnificent baroque altar, liturgical items, sculptures, and many images were burned. Only the walls, columns, and stained glass windows at the upper level survived because the fire did not rise that high. After restoration and elimination of the fire’s consequences, the building’s harmony and proportionality, free of numerous items, became even more evident and striking.
Inside the church, there is a unique atmosphere. The main decoration is the light penetrating through numerous stained glass windows from the 15th to 18th centuries. Two stained glass windows depicting the Last Judgment were made by master Sendrius Desmasnes in 1474. Others depict religious themes: Pentecost, Ascension and Coronation of the Virgin Mary, Birth of Jesus, Annunciation and Marriage of the Virgin Mary, Eucharistic Allegory, and more. Equally impressive are the vivid stained glass windows depicting fountains of living water, cypresses, and palms.
Successful color schemes, combined with the elegance of the structures, create a sense of incredible spaciousness, unburdened by numerous sculptures, bas-reliefs, and stucco. By the altar is a sculpture depicting the Coronation of the Virgin Mary. At the feet of the statue is a sailing ship. This scene symbolizes the Virgin Mary’s protection of sailors.
The church houses the tombs of noble people, with their names engraved on the floor slabs along the walls.
The church’s unique acoustics allow organ music to be heard daily, and masses are held. The central nave is filled with numerous benches for the faithful. Concerts of classical music are often held within the church’s walls. Many famous people come to listen to the mass, to perform wedding and christening ceremonies.
Observation Deck on the Roof
Those wishing to see the panorama of Barcelona from a height of 35-40 meters can climb the steep staircase to the roof and towers of the cathedral, where the observation decks are located. Viewing time is 40 minutes daily from 1 PM to 5 PM. From the height, beautiful views of the city and its attractions open up, which can be captured in photos and will remain in memory for a long time.
Opening Hours
From Monday to Saturday, the church is open from 9 AM to 8:30 PM. Hourly guided tours in English are conducted from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, with an entrance fee of 7 euros. From 9 AM to 1 PM, or from 5 PM to 8:30 PM, you can visit the church independently for free and listen to the organ. On Sundays and holidays, it is open for visits from 10 AM to 1:30 PM and from 4:30 PM to 8 PM.
Location and How to Get There
The Church of Santa Maria del Mar is located in the Passeig del Born area at Placa de Santa Maria, 1 (Saint Mary’s Square, 1), near the metro stations Jaume I (L3) and Barceloneta (L4). You can also reach it by buses: V15, B17, 40, 45 to the Via Laietana stop.