With a rich history that dates all the way back to the fourteenth century, the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is one of Barcelona’s most significant tourist sites. To this day, it’s considered a prime example of the Catalan Gothic architectural style; its design is said by many scholars to have exerted tremendous influence on the development of the inimitable Antoni Gaudí, the legendary architect responsible for such Barcelona landmarks as La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and Sagrada Familia. The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour provides visitors remarkable access and insight into this beloved destination.
History of the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar
The historical record indicates that, in one form or another, a church may have stood on the ground where the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is presently located since the tenth century. Work began on the building we know and love today in the spring of 1329, and would continue up until the final stone was put in place during the fall of 1383. The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar was formally consecrated in August of 1384.
Several notable additional features—rose windows, Baroque altars, and a northwest tower, just to name a few—were added at later dates. The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar was damaged extensively during the Spanish Civil War, but has been fully restored (and rebuilt where necessary) over the course of the intervening decades.
Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour Highlights
The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour grants visitors unparalleled access to the many noteworthy spaces of this remarkable architectural wonder while also providing guests with informative insights regarding the site’s history, design, and function. Throughout the course of your guided tour, you’ll be able to experience firsthand the Basilica’s nave, crypt, galleries, and rooftops—where you’ll enjoy splendid views of Barcelona from some 115 feet in the air.
Though its schedule is always subject to change, typically the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour is only available on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The English-language version of the tour is usually offered just once a day, at 3:00pm—except for on Saturdays, when it runs at 2:00pm. The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour is also available in Catalan, Spanish, and French.
The length of your Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour may vary slightly, but most guided tours clock in anywhere between 60 and 75 minutes. You’ll be expected to arrive five minutes before your tour’s scheduled departure time, with all tours meeting up at the counter situated right inside the church entrance located off the lovely Passeig del Born.
More to See and Do on the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour
The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour is a perennial favorite experience of Barcelona visitors. Read on below for some helpful pointers to keep in mind as you plan your own upcoming visit to this historic institution.
*One of the most important things to keep in mind as you go about planning your upcoming visit to the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is that the attraction remains to this day an active place of worship. As such, it reserves the right to alter the tour’s route or eliminate visitor access to certain areas of the site if need be.
*Likewise, in cases of inclement weather your Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour may even be cancelled. For this reason, it’s a good idea to make yourself aware of the city’s weather forecast as you are going about the purchasing of your tour tickets.
*If you suffer from any kind of heart condition or respiratory issue, be advised that the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar does not recommend you attempt to access the rooftop, which may only be reached via a set of step spiral stairs.
*It is possible to visit the Basilica without going on a guided tour, as you can purchase an entrance ticket (which still comes with rooftop access) that’ll permit you to explore the attraction alone. These individual tickets usually cost about 10 euros; compared to the cost of a tour ticket, you’ll save approximately five euros. However, when in doubt, spring for the tour—it provides you more extensive access and is a whole lot more informative than going it solo.
Why the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Tour Should Be on Your Must-See List
The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is one of Barcelona’s grandest landmarks, and no visit to this enchanting city is complete without taking some time to explore this historic structure. Even though it is possible to pay a smaller entrance to experience the interior of the attraction on your own, most visitors find it well worth the extra cost to enjoy the guided tour and its access to otherwise restricted areas of the church. Plus, once you’ve finished touring the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, you’ll find yourself squarely in the mix of a prime sightseeing area of Barcelona, as other prominent nearby Barcelona attractions include Moco Museum Barcelona, Picasso Museum, L’Aquàrium de Barcelona, and the Barcelona Zoo.
