Location
Palermo
Start Date
26-6-2025 9:30 AM
End Date
26-6-2025 11:00 AM
Description
Sacred sites such as the Barcelona Cathedral have a significant symbolic role and act as guardians of tradition, being an example of the convergence between tangible and intangible heritage. Tourism management must take this duality into account to offer an enriching experience to visitors. The Cathedral of Barcelona, with more than 1,700 years of history, is a sacred space that has stood testimony to the deep connection between human beings and religious faith. This temple is not only a cultural centre, but also a cultural and tourist reference that attracts an important part of the visitors who arrive in the city of Barcelona (15.5 million in 2024).
The tourism management of the cathedral must address the goal of integrating the spiritual and cultural experience of visitors, all respecting its sacred essence. To achieve this, the cathedral has introduced innovative initiatives such as virtual reality, offering immersive explorations of key spaces like the cloister, the crypt of Santa Eulàlia, and the majestic vaults. These digital tools complement traditional visits, deepening the understanding of the cathedral’s spiritual and architectural significance. In addition, the cathedral offers visiting guides that include access to the terraces, providing visitors with a panoramic view of the city and a deeper understanding of its Gothic architecture. Designed for a diverse audience, these experiences foster an emotional connection with the site’s history and spirituality.
However, the cathedral also faces challenges related to mass tourism. The growing influx of visitors has raised concerns about heritage preservation and the quality of the visitor experience. Effective management strategies must balance conservation with accessibility, ensuring the cathedral remains both a place of worship and a valued cultural asset.
This paper explores how tourism management strategies at the Barcelona Cathedral integrate spirituality and culture, respecting its sacred essence while enhancing interpretation and visitor engagement.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21427/wy3v-nx07
Included in
B1) Integrating Spirituality and Culture in Visitor Experience: The Case of The Cathedral of Barcelona
Palermo
Sacred sites such as the Barcelona Cathedral have a significant symbolic role and act as guardians of tradition, being an example of the convergence between tangible and intangible heritage. Tourism management must take this duality into account to offer an enriching experience to visitors. The Cathedral of Barcelona, with more than 1,700 years of history, is a sacred space that has stood testimony to the deep connection between human beings and religious faith. This temple is not only a cultural centre, but also a cultural and tourist reference that attracts an important part of the visitors who arrive in the city of Barcelona (15.5 million in 2024).
The tourism management of the cathedral must address the goal of integrating the spiritual and cultural experience of visitors, all respecting its sacred essence. To achieve this, the cathedral has introduced innovative initiatives such as virtual reality, offering immersive explorations of key spaces like the cloister, the crypt of Santa Eulàlia, and the majestic vaults. These digital tools complement traditional visits, deepening the understanding of the cathedral’s spiritual and architectural significance. In addition, the cathedral offers visiting guides that include access to the terraces, providing visitors with a panoramic view of the city and a deeper understanding of its Gothic architecture. Designed for a diverse audience, these experiences foster an emotional connection with the site’s history and spirituality.
However, the cathedral also faces challenges related to mass tourism. The growing influx of visitors has raised concerns about heritage preservation and the quality of the visitor experience. Effective management strategies must balance conservation with accessibility, ensuring the cathedral remains both a place of worship and a valued cultural asset.
This paper explores how tourism management strategies at the Barcelona Cathedral integrate spirituality and culture, respecting its sacred essence while enhancing interpretation and visitor engagement.