The Cathedral represents the centre of the medieval city, its life and development. In 985 the Moors destroyed the original temple here, which was built in the 4th century and was of great importance as it was here that the Church Council met in 559. Between 1046 and 1058, the Romanesque Cathedral was built in its place. In 1289, by decree of King Jaime II of Aragon, construction of the present Gothic cathedral began and was completed in 1448, but its facade and magnificent spire were created in neo-Gothic style in the late 19th century thanks to the generosity of Manuel Girona, banker and mayor of the city.
The interior of the cathedral impresses with its magnificent austerity, its elongated and harmonious columns, its elegant vaults with cruciform decorations, and its multi-colour scheme. In the three-nave cathedral there are 26 side chapels, which are an artistic treasury preserving the historical and social memory of the city. The main altar was consecrated in 1337; the magnificent choirs of the central nave were created in 1390, and in the sixteenth century a beautiful marble aisle was completed behind the choirs, completing today the perspective view of the central nave.
Down below the main altar is the most beautiful crypt of St Eulalia, the patron saint of the city, a great martyr of the 4th century. Behind the altar on four columns rests her alabaster sarcophagus (1327).
The marvellous Chapel del Santo Cristo de Lepanto (formerly the canon's house for some time) was built in 1405-1454 and is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic art. The sculpture of the Crucified Christ is a wood carving, a 16th century work. Don Juan of Austria took this Crucifixion to the battle of Lepanto. At the foot of the majestic crucifix is buried the priest Olegario.
Through the south gate of the temple you can enter the cathedral courtyard and see the covered gallery, a garden with magnolia, medlar and palm trees, a small fountain, and the cathedral museum, which houses an 11th century font, tapestries and church utensils. White geese have lived in the courtyard since time immemorial and are believed to protect the peace of the townspeople buried near the cathedral.
