Novel Travels: Cathedral of the Sea

Unsolicited advice for the day: Go to Barcelona and read Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones on the airplane. It's the story of Arnau Estanyol, a peasant, in 14th-Century Barcelona. He has an active life, from being a porter unloading ship cargo and assisting with the building of the Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral, to going to war, and finally, becoming a moneylender brought before the Inquisition. The novel is high on melodrama but gives a fascinating perspective on that period in Spain's history.

Santa Maria del Mar plays a central role in the novel and should be on everyone's list of places to visit in Barcelona. Yes, Gaudí's Sagrada Familia is more modern, more famous, and more captivating, but Santa Maria del Mar is older--started in 1329 and completed 1383. OK, that is AMAZING for a cathedral built in medieval times (visitors who have read the book should look for the relief of the porters on the main entrance).


Also among reasons to visit the cathedral, it is located in la Ribera district, next to the Passeig del Born, and near the Barri Gothic, all great areas for running around inside the ancient walls and getting a sense of Barcelona's history. The old city is ancient and beautiful--how many cities do you accidentally walk into Roman walls?


Are there other places in Barcelona related to the book that can be visited? Yes, here is a map. Also, del Born is more of a nightlife district now; I had some good pizza and some crepes there. And I also recommend the Picasso Museum and the chocolate museum, neither has anything to do with the book. Finally, here are some 360 views of the cathedral.