Panorama taken inside the church of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona. The picture reveals a vast, Gothic church with tall stained glass windows and bare stonework. Above the entrance is a massive rose window. The blurring forms are the result of people moving during the long exposures needed to create the shot.

Santa María del Mar Church - Barcelona visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Santa María del Mar Church' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Catalonia.

The Church of Santa María del Mar (Saint Mary of the Sea) is an important landmark and tourist attraction in the Ribera district of Barcelona. The church was built over a period of 55 years in the 14th Century and consecrated in 1384. There is record of a previous building here in 998.

The interior of the church is surprisingly spacious with a simple ribbed vault supported by hexagonal columns and tall clerestorey windows allowing in plenty of light. The church suffered severe damage during the Spanish War of Succession in 1714 and was again damaged by fire during Spanish Civil War in 1936. This fire destroyed much of the interior decoration and many of the windows. Restoration work on the church was completed in 1990, though the interior has been left plain. Entrance to the church is free.

The top of the facade of Santa María del Mar is visible from the roof of Cathedral of Santa Eulalia a little to the west.

Santa María del Mar
c/ de Montcada,
Barri Gotic,
Barcelona, Spain

Bus: Passieg de Colom
Metro: Jaume I (L4), Barceloneta (L4)