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The Church of Santa Maria del Mar is one of the most remarkable examples of gothic architecture in Barcelona’s El Born neighborhood. This building is not only a place of worship, but also a living witness of the city’s history. Every stone of the church seems to hold a memory from Barcelona’s past. The foundations of Santa Maria del Mar, whose story dates back to the early 14th century, were laid in 1329. This project stands out as an initiative that symbolizes the unity and solidarity of the community, rather than just building a religious building.
The construction of the church was truly a community project. Dock workers, stonemasons and other artisans volunteered to work on the construction after hours. This is an important feature that distinguishes Santa Maria del Mar from other churches. The construction process took about 55 years and was completed in 1384. Compared to other major church projects of the period, this is a very short period of time.
History of Santa Maria del Mar
Since its construction, the church has witnessed many important events in Barcelona. Damaged by the 1428 earthquake, the church also suffered a fire during the Spanish Civil War, which destroyed much of the interior decoration but left the main structure intact. In the mid-20th century, extensive restoration work began, revealing the original gothic beauty of the church. During these works, remains from the Roman period were also found under the church.
Architecture
The most striking feature of Santa Maria del Mar is the spaciousness and elegance of its interior. The Catalan Gothic generally favors simpler and more geometric forms than the Northern European Gothic. This style is perfectly executed in Santa Maria del Mar.
Interior Space
The interior of the church consists of three naves formed by wide columns and high arches. This design gives the interior an extraordinary spaciousness and light. Especially in the morning and evening hours, the light filtering through the stained glass windows creates an impressive atmosphere in the interior. The distance between the columns is wider than in other gothic churches of the period. This gives the interior a unique sense of openness and spaciousness. At the same time, thanks to these wide openings, the church was built in accordance with the tradition of blessing the sails of ships.
External Structure Simplicity and Power
The exterior is simpler than other gothic churches. However, this simplicity gives the building a unique strength and elegance. The rosette window on the facade and the two side towers are the most characteristic exterior features of the church. Another striking feature of the exterior of the church is the color of the stones used. The sandstone brought from Montjuïc Mountain has oxidized over time, giving the church its characteristic golden-brown hue. This color gives the church a warm and inviting look, especially at sunset.
When you travel to Barcelona, be sure to add El Born and the Church of Santa Maria Del Mar to your sightseeing list.
Santa Maria Del Mar
Website
http://santamariadelmarbarcelona.org
Visiting Hours
Weekdays: 10:00 / 20:30
Weekends: 10:00 / 20:30
Address
Plaça de Santa Maria, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
