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All Spain Barcelona FC Barcelona Coat of Arms

FC Barcelona Coat of Arms

Barça football fans might see the insignia hidden in a church window as a divine sign.

Barcelona, Spain

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Henrik Johansson
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Barça Coat of Arms in Santa María del Mar.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
Barça Coat of Arms in Santa María del Mar.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
Barça Coat of Arms in Santa María del Mar.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
Barça Coat of Arms in Santa María del Mar.   hrnick / Atlas Obscura User
When you enter it is one of the first windows to the right on the 2nd floor. You don’t need to go up to see it, though it is hard to see from ground.   The Bearded Vagabond / Atlas Obscura User
Fc Barcelona crest   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Santa María del Mar is one of the many iconic churches found in Barcelona. It dates back to the 14th century and was named after St. Mary, the patron saint of sailors, probably because of its location close to the sea. The church has lived through a lot over the years: earthquakes, occupation by Napoleonic forces, bombings, and Francoism, to mention a few. 

In 1936, however, Santa María del Mar was damaged by fire after being set on fire by anarchists during the Spanish Civil War. More or less the whole interior of the church was destroyed, and still today stones blackened by fire bear witness to what happened.

Renovations began in 1938, but it would take until the 1960s before the damaged windows were replaced. The project was running low on funds so a fundraising campaign was started in which numerous organizations, including Futbol Club Barcelona, were asked to contribute. FC Barcelona obliged, but only if their coat of arms would be included in one of the stained-glass windows.

To most visitors, this detail probably goes unnoticed, but if you look carefully you will find the FC Barcelona coat of arms embedded in one of the windows of this majestic cathedral.

Related Tags

Hidden Churches Stained Glass Windows Soccer Sports Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

The window with the coat of arms can be found at the foot of one of the windows to the left of the altar.

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Added By

hrnick

Edited By

The Bearded Vagabond, Xavixavir

  • The Bearded Vagabond
  • Xavixavir

Published

December 12, 2018

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  • https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/barcelona/20160716/403235808003/santa-maria-del-mar-escudo-barca-clam.html
  • https://www.barcelona-life.com/santa-maria-del-mar
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Barcelona
  • https://www.barcelonacheckin.com/en/r/barcelona_tourism_guide/buildings/santa_maria_del_mar.php
  • http://dotravel.com
FC Barcelona Coat of Arms
1 Plaça de Santa Maria
Barcelona
Spain
41.383887, 2.182071
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