Spain Trip #23: Barcelona:Cathedral Generalitat, Gargoyles, Tortured Saint, Aqueduct & Walkway Bridge

Tom and Rob at the Walkway bridge

In this blog about our trip to Spain, we're still in Barcelona exploring the sites. One of the places we visited was the massive Cathedral Generalitat. On the right side of the cathedral there is still part of an ancient Roman aqueduct! There's also a famous picture spot on the side of the Cathedral where people stop in front of an elevated walkway bridge between buildings. You'll also learn about the gargoyles and a famous, tortured saint in this blog. 

WALKWAY BRIDGE- Connecting the back of the Cathedral to another building is an enclosed and architecturally beautiful bridge. We don't know the history of it, but paused for a photo in front of it. 

Cathedral Generalitat

ABOUT CATHEDRAL GENERALITAT - The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothiccathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain. The cathedral was constructed from the 13th to 15th centuries, with the principal work done in the 14th century.

ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE & GARGOYLES - The roof is notable for its gargoyles, featuring a wide range of animals, both domestic and mythical. It is a pseudobasilica, vaulted over five aisles, the outer two divided into chapels. The transept is truncated. The east end is a chevet of nine radiating chapels connected by an ambulatory. The high altar is raised, allowing a clear view into the crypt.

A Gargoyleson Cathedral Generalitat

STORY OF THE MARTYRED AND TORTURED SAINT - The cathedral is dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona, co-patron saint of Barcelona, a young virgin 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 enraged Romans put her into a barrel with knives stuck into it and rolled it down a street (according to tradition, the one now called Baixada de Santa Eulàlia). The body of Saint Eulalia is entombed in the cathedral's crypt.

Rob outside Cathedral Generalitat

NEXT: THE ANCIENT ROMAN RUINS AND THE GHOST!