This place is also known as the Basílica de la Sagrada Família…read more Architecturally breathtaking and one of the most iconic landmarks in Barcelona, the Sagrada Família is a sight that leaves a lasting impression. Construction is still ongoing, and if you plan to tour the interior, I strongly recommend purchasing tickets well in advance. The demand is incredibly high, and unfortunately, tickets were sold out during my visit. The basilica continues to hold Mass on Sunday mornings, but I was already scheduled to be elsewhere and was unable to attend. According to our tour guide, Pope Leo is expected to visit the basilica to bless it, adding yet another chapter to the history of this extraordinary church. As you study the façade, you begin to appreciate the remarkable level of artistry and symbolism incorporated into every detail. Scenes from the Nativity, depictions of Jesus, and tributes to Joseph all come together to tell a visual story. The craftsmanship is astounding, and there is so much detail that I would actually recommend bringing binoculars or a small pair of opera glasses to fully appreciate the intricate carvings and architectural elements. Whether you are religious, spiritual, or simply an admirer of great architecture, this is a destination that should not be missed. The scale, beauty, and symbolism of the Sagrada Família are truly awe-inspiring, and it is one of those rare places that can quite literally take your breath away.

most respect & revered holy places as in the vatican prestige of the roman catholic faith & belief!…read more global christians around the globe universe worship of god in temples cherish their solemn sacraments of sacrifices in the name of a supreme higher power praised daily from the alpha & omega of time blessing all who follow humanity's principalities of good samaritan moral values to promise carrying testaments & testimony in divination of heavenly body almighty! amen hallelujah

We had a tour Friday and arrived on the mountain around 10:30 via Bus and Rack Railway (Cremallera)…read morefor the last 10 minutes. You get some breathtaking views as you climb towards 1236 ft. and also experience the railway car that has been around since the 1800s with the original car on display at the station. Once we got to the main area of the mountain, there is quite a bit to do and you can spend a full day if you took the time to take it all in. The jagged rock formations of the mountain range give a few photo ops. The main event was the Basilica/Abbey with the Black Madonna and hearing the Escolania Boys Choir. Peaceful, serene and listening to this choir for a few minutes before bed has to help with insomnia. There are plenty of hiking options with a 15 minute hike to the top for more breathtaking views. Would recommend visiting the museum. Many shopping and food options (Cafes) with our tour guide recommending a Buffet restaurant. I tend to stay away from Buffet spots and should have followed my instincts. It was ok and really was at a disadvantage after the meals we had in Barcelona-stick with the Cafes. Overall, well worth the time and visit!

Beautiful monastery, located against the backdrop of the Montserrat mountain where the peaks are…read moreliterally surrounding the monastery. The Cathedral that is at the heart of this monastery is very ornate and gorgeous with classic European craftsmanship from an age gone by clearly visible throughout the cathedral. As beautiful as the monastery is, the elevated views from this location are drop dead gorgeous and worth the trip alone. Unfortunately, on the day we visited, there was a mass going on where they closed viewing of the black Madonna for the day to not be in conflict with the mass which is standard practice. So you need to keep an eye on this if you plan to visit this site. The other negative thing is that the place was slammed with tourist and I felt that the outlying buildings were completely commercialized to sell trinkets to the tourist that visit. I personally am not a fan when places of worship do this, but I do understand that this type of operation probably funds the maintenance and operation of monastery year-round and is probably a necessary evil in this case. All in all, this is one of the main attractions in the Barcelona area and should be included on any itinerary during your visit here. Opportunities to see beauty like this along with it's historical relevance are far few and in between and should be taken advantage of anytime you're given this opportunity.

This truly amazing Romanesque cathedral is the centerpiece of this well preserved, living, 10th…read morecentury Catalan village. The first time I came to Barcelona I missed Girona as a day trip and now that I've been here I insist if you're in Catalonia you simply must experience this. A full day maybe two. The massive church is not just Romanesque, there are Gothic and Baroque elements. There are 8 pagan and early Christian sarcophagi (the 4th century), the recumbent Christ dates back to the 14th century by sculptor Aloi de Montbrai. It's just breathtaking. There is an admission fee, I can't remember what it was because a visit here is truly a priceless experience. It is up a steep climb but just take your time, rest a bit, climb on. Do not miss this.

A beautiful church that was once known as Girona's only cathedral up until the 10th century. It's…read morewell known for its' gothic structure, interior artwork, and slim bell tower. The church is named after and dedicated to St. Felix of Girona. I did a walking tour of Girona and the Basilica of Sant Feliu was one of the highlights. It isn't nearly as popular or as crowded as the nearby Girona Cathedral, but it still holds a great significance to the city. I did not get to tour the inside of the church, but the facade is charming enough to warrant a visit even if you don't go inside. If you're able to embark on a guided walking tour of the city, you'll learn a lot about the history of the church. Since Girona is small, most tours include the Basilica of Sant Feliu and you'll be able to walk through most of the downtown area in one day. It's worth a stop and at least a walking tour if you're planning to explore Girona.

This is such a beautiful cathedral and has so much history. It is a Roman Catholic Church known for…read moreits gothic architecture. Also a fun fact is that scenes from Game of Thrones was shot here. It's a must see when visiting Girona!

This is the Roman Catholic cathedral in Girona Catalonia Spain and the seat of the Roman Catholic…read moreDiocese of Girona. I'm far from a history buff but tourists from all over flock to see this preserved old church and for 7.50€ you can tour the interior although the mere gothic-like exterior architecture is a facinating view. There are an exhausting amount of wide cement steps leading to the top expansive entrance. Today, many tour groups cluttered near the top discussing the history of this beautiful church with a deep significance to the village of Girona.

The Cathedral of Barcelona, which is also called the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia,…read morewas built in the Gothic style from 1298 to the 15th century. It is an active church that provides masses, confessions, and other sacraments. It also provides tours for 16 euros and up (as of the time of this review). I understand that some people think that a church should be free to enter, but I also understand that many tourists are not practicing Catholics and that the church needs to bring in revenue to pay its bills. My tour guide took my husband and me to the exterior of this church and explained its architecture and history. We did not pay for an interior tour. It is a lovely church to see.

The cathedral was beautiful and the rooftop views were simply stunning. Definitely worth a visit…read morewhen visiting Barcelona.

Don't let the distance dissuade you from visiting. There are a few ways to get there including…read moremetro and bus though we did taxi from where we were at the time. We actually went here before we visited La Sagrada Familia. If it had been reversed it would have felt anticlimatic. This site though has its own charms. The view of Barcelona is amazing. Definitely pay for the elevator (5 euro) ride. It takes you from ground (church ) level almost to the top just below the statue of Christ. The final level is accessed by stairs. When we arrived they were actually getting ready for Mass and we happily joined in. The Mass was in Castilian but the Catholic Mass structure is universal and I downloaded readings in English prior. As churches go, it was small but highly ornate. Oddly enough there is a carnival park as part of the grounds. Seems out of place but I suspect if you're going to haul your kids up there for Mass then they need to make it a family affair plus it brings in money. There is also a restaurant but we did not do that.

I would absolutely recommend hiking up to the temple. The view of Barcelona is stunning. We took a…read moretrain to the funicular and hiked up to the church from there. The hike is ~1.5 miles, but there is a notable incline. There is a funicular available for 5€ round trip, but this only gets you about halfway up

Europe has so many amazing old churches and no picture can replicate the experience of walking in…read moreand just taking it all in. But in looking at pictures it's hard to tell them apart from each other. Something this had that other didn't is the view of the city from the top put you have to go up narrow spiral staircase that is less than fun to navigate and deal with people going the other direction. But the view from the top was def worth it. Obviously if you have mobility or claustrophobia this wont be something you should try.

After visiting the other must see Catholic Churches in Barcelona this was by far my favorite…read more Built by the people for the people. The remnants of the fires that destroyed most of the original art in the church gives it character. We were not able to go to mass there but we most definitely will next time in town. Beautiful example of Catalonian Gothic and simply majestic and a must see.