The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is a gothic cathedral in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona and is dedicated to the Holy Cross and Eulalia of Barcelona, the city's co-patron saint. Eulalia was a young virgin martyr who, according to Catholic tradition, suffered martyrdom during Roman times in the city. One story says that she was exposed naked in the public square and a miraculous snowfall in mid-spring covered her nudity.

The cathedral was constructed from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries, with the principal work done in the fourteenth century. The present Gothic cathedral was started on the foundations of the previous churches on 1 May 1298. The high altar is raised, allowing a clear view into the crypt, where the relics of Saint Eulalia are entombed.

The cathedral features a pseudo-basilica form vaulted over five aisles. It includes a secluded Gothic cloister where 13 white geese are kept, the number explained by the assertion that Eulalia was 13 when she was martyred. The building has been updated in response to an increasing number of tourists, and the surrounding neighborhood was restored between 1927 and 1970 to create a historic image for the city.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons