Basílica de Santa María Cathedral

Saint Mary's Basilica Basílica de Santa Maria Plaça de Jaume I, S/N, 08720 Vilafranca del Penedès, Barcelona The Cathedral of Santa María de Vilafranca is located in the center of the medieval town of Villafranca del Panadés, in the Alto Panadés region of Catalonia. The Basilica of Santa Maria in Vilafranca del Penedès is the parish church of the town. This Gothic building began construction in 1285, but was not consecrated until 1484. The Cathedral of Santa Maria is the parish church of Vilafranca del Penedès. Built in 1285 in Gothic style, although it was not consecrated until 1484, it has been a documented ancient small church in the same location since the 10th century. The new Gothic facade was not completed until 1905 and preserves related remains of murals. From the 14th century, there are various stone gargoyles and sculptures on the upper part, and the independent Gothic bell tower with an octagonal tower and two bodies, which was made by the modernist sculptor Josep Llimona in the basement of the Carrara Christ's Advent marble sculpture. The silhouette of this bell tower is the most distinctive element in the villa's silhouette, and you can enter and enjoy the unique landscape it provides from a height of up to 52 meters. The narrow spiral staircase that extends along the entire spine of the bell tower allows you to see the original weather vane angel, the old prison where monks lived, currently occupied by a clock from 1929, and three religious bells.