5 famous churches in Spain that you cannot miss

Spain is a Catholic country. Although impacted profoundly by Arabic and Islamic cultures, Catholic or Christian culture is still a very important component of modern Spanish culture. For all faithful believers, history lovers, and culture fanatics, exploring churches in Spain could be an impressive experience. Here in this article, we will present the 5 most famous churches/Cathedrals in Spain. If you are planning to travel or are living in this amazing country, don’t miss the opportunity to visit them!

 

1. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Santiago de Compostela

2. Granada Cathedral & Royal Chapel, Granada

3. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

4. Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Córdoba

5. Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zaragoza

 

 

1. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Santiago de Compostela

 

Santiago de Compostela is a name that any faithful pilgrim would know. Each year, there are millions of pilgrims traveling from other Spanish cities or even outside of Spain to this holy city. And the routes are called Camino de Santiago in Spanish. The Cathedral of Santiago is not only a meaningful destination, but the facade itself is worth visiting.

 

Nowadays, besides the religious meanings, ¨el Camino de Santiago¨ is also popular with the non-religious population. They train themselves for the long walking journey, make friends along the way and rest when needed. When they arrive at the destination, they take moments of silence to take in this breathtakingly amazing Cathedral.

 

 

2. Granada Cathedral & Royal Chapel, Granada

 

Granada Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church located in Granada. Like many other cathedrals in Andalusia, it was built on top of the mosque after the reconquest of Granada.

 

The royal chapel of Granada was built between 1505 and 1517 and was integrated into the Granada Cathedral. The Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand were buried in this chapel. The building also contains a gallery of artworks and items associated with Queen Isabella.

 

 

3. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

 

As one of the symbols of Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia is, without a doubt, one of the most famous churches in Spain. The construction of this masterpiece began in 1882 and is still under construction. This amazing façade shows the unique architectural style of the most famous and beloved architect in Barcelona, Gaudí: organic curves and shapes, colors, and even fairy-tale style forms. The traditional window paintings were replaced by shapes, modern representations, and symbols. If you want to visit La Sagrada Família, it's recommended to pick a sunny day with enough sunlight penetrating through the church windows.

 

Although the church is still under construction, you can easily book a ticket to visit the interior beauty or simply feel the environment.

 

 

4. Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Córdoba

 

As the name suggests, it is a mixture of mosque and Cathedral, one of the most magnificent representations of the cultural mix in Spain and the Islamic influence in Andalusia. The mosque was constructed in the year 785 on the orders of Abd ar-Rahman. It was expanded multiple times until 1236 when it was converted to a Cathedral. Many scholars believe that this building has been highly influential on the subsequent Moorish architecture in the western Mediterranean region.

 

 

5. Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zaragoza

 

The Cathedral-Basilica of our Lady of the Pillar is a Roman Catholic church in Zaragoza. It is reputed to be the first church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in history. Around the holy chapel, there are vaults or domes painted with frescoes by Francisco Goya.

 

 

Getting to know the cultural aspects of a country is the best part for many expats. Here at Adeslas, we not only want to offer you service and guidance, but we also want to care for your health and well-being by offering our expat insurance, the best medical insurance, and capable visa insurance, ensuring you a carefree church trip.

 

If you like to know more about living in Spain, click one of these blogs below: 

• Curious facts you need to know before moving to Spain
• Cost of living: Is it cheap to live in Spain?
• Reside in Spain: live a unique Mediterranean life
• Top Spanish food that you cannot miss
• The best places to live in Spain for Expats with different needs