Santa Anna Church, Barcelona

Santa Anna Church, Barcelona

The Monastery of Santa Ana in Barcelona is a church and old monastery with cloister and chapter house, built in the 12th century by the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

The Monastery of Santa Ana in Barcelona is a church and old monastery with cloister and chapter house, built in the 12th century by the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. The complex was designed in Romanesque style by architect Ramon Amadeu, and construction took over 300 years to complete, with the addition of Gothic elements.

The original church is preserved, built on a Greek cross plan with a square apse, and Gothic facade, dome, cloisters, and chapel. The main entrance features the original patriarchal cross of Saint Anna. Near the entrance is a Gothic chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, with a Gothic altarpiece dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. The nave is paved with tombstones from the 15th to 17th century, including that of Miquel de Boera. The Romanesque windows of the presbytery, transept and dome depict scenes from the Book of Genesis. The Chapel of the Holy Sepuchre features a replica of Gabriel Guardia's sculptural ensemble depicting the Burial of Christ, the original being located in the Diocesan Museum. The Church has 3 other chapels – Chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat, Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament which has a painting of 'The Dolorosa' by Pere Pruna.

The cloisters mark the transition between Gothic and Renaissance, with the lower level featuring pointed Catalan Gothic arches and the upper level featuring flatter Renaissance arches.