Barcelona 9 of 9

Even though it had been a long day and our feet ached from so much walking we still had one more site to visit - the Barcelona Cathedral which is an excellent example of Spanish Gothic architecture. It's construction began in 1298 during the reign of King James ll and was completed during Alphonso V reign in 1450. Now if these dates don't " blow your mind" ,  records show that this building is built on the remains of an earlier Christian basilica and a Romanesque basilica. We found it difficult to conceive that way back then such an ornate massive building was constructed and still stands today. Document records show that the first bishop of Barcelona was Pretextat in the year 343. Over the centuries  construction changes have taken place : an open courtyard was built within the cathedral during the 14th and 15th centuries, the facade was built at the end of the 19th century and two towers which still look old, were built at the beginning of the 20th century.

Again once inside this huge monument we were amazed at the architectural structure, the internal buttresses, stain glass windows, carved marble statues, fine timber panelling, intricate marble patterned floors and the massive height of the columns and ceiling. The ongoing restoration costs must be astronomical - hence the entrance fee. 

I couldn't help thinking how much energy and effort has gone into this and other church building constructions as an expression of people's devotion to God and yet all God wants is for us to ask his forgiveness, to trust in Him and to honour and worship him in the way that we live and love one another. God is not impressed by the edifices mankind constructs though we admire them.

We decided to use a lift up one of the towers and found ourselves on top of the roof of this huge cathedral. We were able walk across the length of the roof of the cathedral by using a walkway that has been constructed  for this purpose. The 360 degree views over the city were amazing. We could see as far as the mountains in one direction, the sea in another and we had a glimpse of the Sea Princess' funnels in the distance. 

The top of the cathedral roof is sealed with tightly cemented bricks  and water channels to release rain water and the top of the dome area within the cathedral is held together with a series of red brick ridges over the domes  area of the roof. 

One other area we visited was the open courtyard  at the side of the chapel where we saw a pond filled with very large carp and 13 white geese who are enclosed in the small section of the courtyard with the pond. They were very inquisitive about us and we them. We wondered about their purpose and were told  that the 13 geese are kept here as a reminder of a 13 year old girl who was martyred for her Christian faith in the 1500's. Her body is buried in the crypt along with bishops and because she was a career of geese the church has installed 13 geese here since her death. Whenever a geese dies due to illness or old age another geese will take its place and so the 13 geese traditions continues. She was made a saint by the church and is the only young girl to be made a saint.  Umph! How traditions can overtake our worship of our creator.

Well with that little bit of  tradition we headed back to our shuttle bus stop and were shuttled back to the ship, a warm shower and a good relaxing rest whilst we built up enough energy to make it to the dining room for yet another delicious meal on the Sea Princess. 

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