Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four papal basilicas (Saint Peter’s Basilica, Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls). It belongs to the most beautiful early Christian Basilicas in Rome, and became an important place of pilgrimage. It is also the largest church in Rome which is dedicated to Virgin Mary.

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The Romanesque bell tower was added to the basilica in 1377 and with its 75 meters it is the highest one in Rome. At the turn of the 16th and 17th century, Basilica underwent a reconstruction. The basilica boasts wonderfully ornate interior. Richly painted coffered ceiling is supported with 40 massive columns, which were transferred here from the ancient Roman buildings. The beautiful decoration is everywhere you take a look. But the most breathtaking is a mosaic created between 1290 – 1295 by Jacopo Torritim. It is located in the apse, which is considered the top of medieval mosaic tradition in Rome. Other important mosaics come from the 5th century and decorate boat and triumphal arch. Mosaics on the side-walls show scenes of Moses, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Once you are here, do not miss a visit to Chapel Cappella Sistina from 1585, which is a kind of church in the church. It is the work of Domenico Fontana, who created it for Pope Sixtus V. At the opposite side, there is the Cappella Paolina, built in 1611 for two popes – Paul V and Clement VIII. They tried to create a more beautiful chapel, than the opposite one, therefore it is overdecorated.

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Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Barcelona, Spain by Ramon Llorensi

Barcelona is also Europe’s largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast and a home to one of Europe’s principal Mediterranean ports. Barcelona international airport handles approx. 30 million passengers every year.

Barcelona was the 12th-most-visited city in the world and 4th most visited in Europe after London, Paris and Rome. It is in addition the most popular tourist destination in Spain (receiving above 5 million tourists every year). Barcelona is the 4th richest city by GDP in the European Union (after London, Paris and Madrid).

Barcelona was probably founded by the Carthaginians and later became a Roman colony of Barcino. The city became famous mainly for its remarkable architecture, but Summer Olympic Games in 1992 promoted the city much more. The popularity and the huge attendance certainly also contributes to the fact that it lies at sea. A lot of people are coming here from nearby France.

Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Spain by WikiMapa

Most remarkable symbol of the city is the cathedral Sagrada Familia designed by the famous architect Antonio Gaudí. Its construction began in 1884 and is still not finished. Meanwhile Gaudí died in 1926 and the following construction is already not according to his original plan. The huge building with twelve towers became the most admired place of Barcelona. Construction is funded by donations and is progressing quite slowly. It is planned that could be completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of the death of Antonio Gaudí. But whether it actually happens, it is not entirely certain.

But the cathedral is not the only signature of Gaudí in Barcelona. Among his other major works are the Park Güell with Gaudi Museum, the Palau Güell palace, quite controversial building La Pedrera (or Casa Milà) and Casa Batlló. Many of Gaudí’s work at the time of its inception, were considered ugly, but today, however, they are most popular sights of Barcelona. They are also registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List (some of them since 1984, but more were added later in 2005).

The city gave to the world and especially to itself yet another famous architect – Lluís Domenech i Montaner. In Barcelona he designed a building of Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, that was constructed between 1901 and 1930, and the Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) from 1905 – 1908. Both buildings have also been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997.

Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain by Alberto Carrasco Casado

But Barcelona does not offer only modern architecture. The city boasts plenty of Gothic monuments, and even has a Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), forming the basis of the Old Town. The area also contains the walls from Roman times or other non-gothic buildings. Walking through the old streets is really a great experience. Gothic Quarter is dominated by the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia.

In addition there is a huge variety of museums, galleries and cultural booths in Barcelona. There are many sports facilities, some of which hosted major sporting events (e.g. Olympic Games), two large football stadiums, or racing circuit for MotoGP World Championship and Formula I.

Barcelona is a live city at all (in terms of traffic intensity sometimes even too live…), full of culture, art and all sorts of activities.

Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral, Barcelona, Spain by Ferran Pestaña

Top sights to see in Barcelona

• Sagrada Família, the international symbol of Barcelona – still unfinished church
• Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau
• Park Güell
• Palau Güell
• Casa Milà
• Casa Vicens
• Casa Batlló
• Crypt in Colonia Güell
• The Cathedral of St. Eulalia
• Church of Santa Maria del Mar
• Gothic church of Santa Maria del Pi
• Church of Sant Pau del Camp
• Palau Reial Major
• The Columbus Monument
• Forum Building
• The Arc de Triomf, a triumphal arch built in 1888

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