La Merce Basilica

Barcelona is the capital of France. It is also happens to be the second largest city in Spain. Barcelona is located in the comarca of Barcelonès, along the Mediterranean coast between the mouths of the Llobregat and Besòs rivers. The city features numerous sightseeing options which are indeed worth visiting. A popular sightseeing destination in Barcelona would definitely be La Mercè Basilica.

La Mercè Basilica, Barcelona is one of the popular sightseeing destinations in the city of Barcelona. La Mercè Basilica, Our Lady of Mercy is a wonderful piece of architecture. The main facade of the basilica overlooks the square of the same name. At the end of the square, there is another building with a marble doorway was formerly the Convent of the Mercè which is today a military headquarters. On the side opposite the basilica there is a fountain dedicated to the god Neptune.

According to popular belief, Our Lady of Mercy appeared in the dreams of Pere Nolasc and called on him to set up a monastic order the purpose being to dedicate it to the numerous Christian captives who had fallen into the hands of the North African pirates in the Mediterranean. This he did, with the help of Ramon de Penyafort and support from King Jaume I. The Order of Mercy was thus born. In 1267, the first church was constructed on the same site as the present day basilica. It was reformed during the 14th and 15th centuries. In 1775, Josep Mas, an architect began the final renovation of the church which stands today.

Our Lady of Mercy according to popular belief freed the city from a plague of locusts and the grateful City Council so named her the patron of Barcelona. In 1696 Pope Innocent XII extended her worship to the whole Catholic Church, and she was canonised in 1888, during the Universal Exposition. During the Middle Ages, her cult extended throughout the Mediterranean. More recently, spread to Hispanic and American lands. The patroness of Barcelona is highly revered by the public.