Santa Maria Del Pi – A Medieval Church in the Barri Gotic

Santa Maria del Pí – A Barcelona Church in the Barri Gotic District:

Santa Maria del Pi - Classictic

Santa Maria del Pí (St Mary of the Pine Tree) is a medieval basilica nestled between the Plaça del Pí and the Plaça Sant Josep Oriol in Barcelona’s historic Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter).

It is believed that a pine forest once stood on the site of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, and this 14th-century Barcelona church and the square near which it resides were so named because of the pine tree in front of the church (‘pí’ is Catalan for pine tree).  The tympanum over the main doorway features the figure of the Virgin Mary flanked by two pine cones.

Features of Santa Maria del Pí

Primarily built in Catalan Gothic style, the vast interior of the basilica is a plain, single wide hall with chapels beneath the buttresses. The front facade has a giant rose window measuring 10 metres in diameter. Its stained glass are not from the original church and neither is the rose window which is a 1940 reproduction of the original.

Santa Maria del Pi’s bell tower is octagonal in shape and 54 metres tall. Of its six bells, Antònia is the largest with a diameter of 1.4 metres and it weighs 1,806 kilograms. Construction of the bell tower started in 1379 and was completed around 1461.  If you are wandering around Las Ramblas, the bell tower can be seen through one of the side passages.

View of Santa Maria del Pi Tower

The church of Santa Maria del Pi houses the remains of Sant Josep Oriol, a Barcelonian saint, who was also a priest at this famous church.

What’s Around Santa Maria del Pí

Plaça del Pí is within easy easy reach of Las Ramblas. It is the prettiest little square in the Barri Gòtic. Its bars and cafés attract buskers and artists, making it a lively place to hang out. It is surrounded by quaint streets, many dotted with appealing cafés, restaurants and shops.

The Plaça Sant Josep Oriol is home to an artists’ market on the weekend and has a lively outdoor café culture during the week.

Santa Maria del Pí is frequently used as a venue for concerts and choral performances. Whilst exploring the oldest part of Barcelona, there is a possibility of taking in a concert in this medieval church. See what’s on at the Santa Maria del Pí HERE.

How to get to Basilica Santa Maria del Pí

Metro L3 (green) Stop: Liceu

Address:
Basilica Santa Maria del Pí
C/ Cardenal Casanyas, 16
08002 Barcelona

See more Barcelona info HERE.

Map of Barcelona:

Things to do in Barcelona

Click here to get a free PDF of this post