Before we left for the pier yesterday morning we had a chance to do some exploring INSIDE the Cathedral of Barcelona, more officially known as Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia in Spanish. But since many in Spain speak Catalan, you may hear it referred to as Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia.
Whatever you call it, you will find the Cathedral full of religious art and amazing architecture. These are the things I love to explore in Europe. There is so much to discover!
The cathedral was constructed from the 13th to 15th centuries, with the principal work done in the 14th century.The cloister, which encloses the Well of the Geese (Font de les Oques) was completed in 1448.
In the late 19th century, the neo-Gothic façade was constructed over the nondescript exterior that was common to Catalan churches.
The roof is notable for its gargoyles, featuring a wide range of animals, both domestic and mythical. [source]
When we had wanted to enter the church the previous afternoon, we found that it cost 7 euros a piece during the afternoon hours. But the next morning you could come after mass, and there was no charge. Perfect for an after-breakfast wander before our bus picked us up to deliver us to the pier at 11am.
In we went!
I love the feel of ancient places!
The altars around the center are massive and ornate!
Creepily reverent with sepulchres on the walls!
But the most interesting was the cloisters on the outside in the courtyard where the well of geese is located!
Tombstones line the floor!
What do these scissors mean?
They are here too! So interesting!
The well of geese!
You could hear the geese honking even before you could see them. I stopped by to peer through the iron gates while a father was singing to a young child a little goose song. If you listen closing you will hear him:
I loved the geese!
I have placed all of the Cathedral photos in a slide show, and it was no small feat getting them to upload on ships wifi. Since I am 6 hours ahead of home I started things uploading this morning, and am back in my cabin during our lunch break to hopefully get this to go live!
After this tour, it was all hands on the bus and off we went to board the Brilliance of the Seas!
We are ready to go!
Past the Christopher Columbus statue….
And other odd artsy architecture…
Saying goodbye to Barcelona as we sail away…
waving farewell to the castle like church on the hill…
The cruise part of our adventure has truly begun!
This morning we started our first workshop, A Little Bit Hexie which is being received with open arms, smiley faces and busy needles! Lunch is nearly over so I better get this uploaded and head back to class.
Quiltville Quote of the Day!
And tell them often! Vintage bow tie quilt top from my collection. Love the fabrics!
Have a lovely Friday, everyone!
Loving your posts about Barcelona. Thanks for hanging in there and getting everything uploaded for our viewing.
ReplyDeleteperhaps the scissors indicate members of the tailor's guild...?
ReplyDeleteWhat neat pictures, such a ornate cathedral. I wonder about the scissors also? Enjoy your trip and your classes. And also enjoy your time to relax with your hubby.
ReplyDeleteScissors are an early Christian symbol of martyrdom. Saint Eulalia certainly qualifies, having had her breasts cut off among other tortures.
ReplyDeletej.eidem@embarqmail.com
Some cathedrals are pretty most of the time, but spectacular at certain times of the day due to the sunlight. That might help explain the difference in entrance fee/no fee. Or, it may simply be open for worship in the morning and then anyone can come in. It is always kind of interesting to find those quirks about places when you travel. Bon Voyage!
ReplyDeleteWe visited the London cathedrals during Vespers, they come alive with instruments, song and worship!
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie ... I googled "Shears on Gravestones" and found that it could possible indicate a female burial and was meant to represent kitchen scissors. Wonderful pictures ... thank you so much for sharing this adventure with us! **Hugs**
ReplyDeleteWe stayed near that cathederal. Out daughter (tour guide) took us to the sides of the cathederal where the acoustics are very good. There were people singing and playing instruments. Really good.
ReplyDeleteDo we see a possibility of the 2016 Mystery Quilt colors coming out of Barcelona??😀😀😀😀 The color of the water the colors of the ceilings and paintings? It's all beautiful with lots of artistic colors. Thank You for sharing. Just another trip I need to plan. Go Delta!!✈️✈️✈️
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that you enjoyed your free visit to the Cathedral. But pause for a moment to think of the cost of the upkeep for such buildings. If tourists look for ways around paying, then the burden will have to be borne by the parishioners.
ReplyDeleteThe same is true of London and other tourist hot spots. Go to a service if you are a believer and wish to worship but not if you only want to see the architecture.
I am sorry if this offends but even if there is no admission fee I always give a donation to such places because I have a friend who is involved in the upkeep of a 13th century church in the English country side.
I like to think that, since this would have been before the dawn of the rotary cutter, the scissors are a clue that this person was definitely a quilter! ;-) ;-)
ReplyDeleteI found this bit about the scissors in the cathedral:
ReplyDelete"The glorious, light-filled cloister is famous for its 13 fierce geese – one for each year of Eulàlia's life – and half-erased floor engravings, detailing which guild paid for which side chapel: scissors to represent the tailors, shoes for the cobblers and so on. The cathedral museum, housed in the 17th-century chapterhouse, includes paintings and sculptures by Gothic masters Jaume Huguet, Bernat Martorell and Bartolomé Bermejo."