Unveiling the mysteries of Masonic Barcelona
Lovers of enigmas, curious people and seekers of the occult, welcome to the most secret route through the Masonic BarcelonaIf you thought you knew every corner of this city, get ready for a fascinating journey where we'll reveal the mysteries we've gathered over time in our History & Legends Comedy Tours. Let's get going, Freemasons... I mean, engines!
Before we begin, one note: in English, mason It means 'bricklayer'. The first "masons" were the stonemasons who built cathedrals and signed the stone with their marks. Modern Freemasonry, with its lodges and rituals, was born much later, in the 18th century. And in Barcelona, it has left traces of both.
The Gothic Quarter: Barcelona Cathedral, home to graffiti artists of Masonic Barcelona
Going down the Portal de l'Àngel, next to the Plaça Nova, you will find the majestic Cathedral of Barcelona, a major protagonist of our tour of the Gothic Quarter. Here we are greeted by profound symbolism and curiosities from past centuries. If we enter the Chapel of Saint Sebastian and Saint Tecla, We are surprised by a shield with a compass, a rose, and two kites. Many interpret this as a mark left by the stonemasons who worked on it in the 16th century, when Canon Joan Andreu Sorts financed the chapel.
Furthermore, the cathedral's apse bears guild marks and symbols. These were the signatures of the master builders, used to pass on knowledge from masters to apprentices. Imagine those stonemasons leaving their mark on the stone! They were true medieval graffiti artists.
The Gothic Quarter: the Pont del Bisbe, perfect for divorcees
From Plaça Garriga i Bachs, go down Carrer del Bisbe and, after passing the cathedral cloister, you will come face to face with the famous bridge that connects the Palau de la Generalitat with the Canonges House. This last one is today the official residence of the President of the Generalitat, And the bridge allows him to go from his office to his home without stepping outside. Just like the black official cars of our politicians, but in a gothic version.
Today, the Pont del Bisbe It is one of the most photographed spots in Barcelona, although it is not even a century old: it was built by the architect Joan Rubió i Bellver in 1928. Under the bridge hides a disturbing detail: a skull pierced by a dagger. Legend has it that Rubió placed it there in anger because the City Council had rejected other projects of his, and that if anyone removes the dagger, the city will collapse. Those who see it as a Masonic symbol associate it with initiatory death: leaving behind bonds to reach enlightenment. Those who have recently divorced will understand this better.
The Gothic Quarter: the Casa dels Canonges and Masonic Barcelona
Next to the Palau de la Generalitat, and linked to it by the Pont del Bisbe, is the House of the Canons. It was the residence of the cathedral canons (not the ones you put in your salad with cherry tomatoes, but the clergymen with canonries). Its coat of arms features a compass, shooting stars, and a rose—symbols many associate with Freemasonry. There's even speculation that the house witnessed meetings and well-kept secrets. Do you know how many Freemasons it takes to change a lightbulb? Shh! It's a secret!
The Holy Family: the door of the Passion or "of the Freemason"«
In our Guided tour of the interior of the Sagrada Familia, If you follow our guide, you will realize that Gaudí's masterpiece is full of symbols that give much to talk about.
In the Nativity facade, Above the portal of Faith, dedicated to Mary, you will see a hand with an eye in the palm. Many people confuse it with the Hamsa or Hand of Fatima, but it is the hand of God with the Eye of Providence: the all-seeing eye, like Sauron's in The Lord of the Rings Or the one a mother makes when you don't eat your vegetables. It's a Christian symbol, although Freemasonry also adopted it.
In the Passion façade The alpha and omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, also appear. Nor is this a Masonic invention: it comes from the Book of Revelation, where God says, "I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.".
Was Gaudí a Freemason? The mystery of the magic square
Although their biographies describe Gaudi As a devout Catholic, he has also been rumored to be a Freemason, as were his patron Eusebi Güell (yes, the one who designed the park) and some of his clients. The theory is supported by details such as the zodiac signs or the repetition of the "X" in the temple. But none have generated as much discussion as the magic square On the Passion façade: a grid of 16 squares that adds up to 33 in many combinations. For some, it's a nod to the 33rd degree, the highest in Freemasonry. However, the official explanation is that 33 is the age of Jesus at his death. Furthermore, the square isn't Gaudí's: it was sculpted by Josep Maria Subirachs decades after his death.
El Born: Santa María del Mar is more than a church
In our tour of the Born We give the attention it deserves to the jewel of Catalan Gothic architecture, home to legends and the setting of the series The Cathedral of the Sea: the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, built in the 14th century. If we stop in front of the main altar, we discover an unexpected detail: the FC Barcelona crest in one of the stained-glass windows. The explanation? After the damage from the Civil War, the club helped restore the windows, and its crest ended up in one of them. So now you know why they say Barça is "more than a club." It's also a stained-glass maker!
And the blue and red colors? Here, the Masonic connection to Barcelona comes into play again, albeit with some nuances. One theory, lacking documentary evidence, links them to the aprons of Freemasons. The club itself, however, considers it more likely that they originate from the rugby team of Merchant Taylors' School in Crosby, near Liverpool, where two of the first players, the Witty brothers, studied. This is explained on their website, in an article about... the origin of Barça's colors. However, there has also been much speculation about the possible Masonic ties of Joan Gamper, the club's founder.
The Gothic: Santa Maria del Pi and Portaferrissa, from parishioners' homes to meetings of Masonic Barcelona
Barcelona hides treasures on every corner, and we discovered some of them in our tour of the Gothic Quarter. If we go down Petritxol Street, we arrive at the church of Santa María del Pi. There, we are surprised by its enormous rose window and, next to the main entrance, a slab with inscriptions dedicated to the architect Bartomeu Mas. Carved on it are a compass, a hammer, and a precisely drawn circle. These symbols coincide with Masonic symbols, but they were also the guild mark of stonemasons and architects.
The street is just a few steps away. Portaferrissa, one of the most authentic and beautiful in Barcelona. At number 11, a building greets us with a profusion of symbols on its facade, and it is believed to have been a meeting point for the Masonic community. On the frieze above the door, two children hold a triangle on some bricks.. One of them holds two rulers, and the other, a trowel and a compass. These are the builder's tools, and they represent the building of knowledge and wisdom.
These are just some of the places that reveal Barcelona's Masonic history. The city is full of symbols and mysteries, and every corner holds a fascinating story. Dare to discover them with our guide. free tour of Barcelona, Leave us your comments and get ready for more historical laughs in the next article! HL Comedy Tours blog!
Those who do not know its history are doomed to enjoy it!
