Santa Maria del Mar Barcelona
When it was originally built, the Gothic Eglesia de Santa Maria del Mar (St. Mary of the Sea) was positioned on the waterfront, serving as the church for mariners, fishermen and their families. As sailors would leave the docks of the city, they would often offer a prayer to Mary for a safe voyage. The coastline has shifted over the years, leaving the basilica inland, but the church is still there, and is still an active house of worship. Built in the 14th century, it took just 55 years to complete this beautiful building.

In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, anarchists burnt nearly all of Barcelona's churches. Santa Maria burned for 11 days and nearly collapsed as a result of the heat. After the war, the building was rebuilt and restored to its original design. This is a popular place, not only for worship and sightseeing, but as a venue for concerts because of the outstanding acoustics of the building.