Church of Santa Anna

Walking through the centre of Barcelona you will undoubtedly reach this beautiful church that still preserves some Romanesque elements inside as well as an impressive Gothic cloister, which belonged to the monastery of the same name, now partially destroyed. The Church of Santa Ana (Saint Anna) was built around 1177 by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

The core of the building still retains 12th century elements, such as the square apse and its cross-shaped floor plan topped with a dome that was destroyed by fire in the 20th century. Santa Anna is another example of the way architecture can evolve. The Gothic portal was built in 1300 and the nave with its Gothic ribbed vaulting was extended in the 14th century. The 15th-century lantern tower was rebuilt after the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

Inside the church there are a series of interesting chapels, such as the Capella dels Perdons, from the 14th century, and others from the 20th century with paintings by Pere Pruna and Ignacio Serra i Goday. The cloister and the chapter house date from the early 15th century and are clearly Gothic in style, as is the entrance door.

Your visit will help you appreciate the understated beauty of the church and the peace and quiet of Barcelona’s most central cloisters.