Sant Iu Square

The Plaça de Sant Iu located between an enclosure of the palace and the cathedral is not notable as a square, however the Puerta Sant Iu is worthy of mention, the oldest entrance to the Cathedral, characterized by the pointed archivolts that rest on flowered capitals and the relief of an outstanding character in the history of Barcelona. Above the pillars, there are musical angels who poke their heads out of the arch. On the tympanum, there is an image of Saint Eulalia (14th century).

For five hundred years this portal was the access to the cathedral, it is located under one of the bell towers. The door was built with stone brought from the Montjüic mountain in the year 1298. On each side of the door there are inscriptions that commemorate the beginning of the work and diagonally to the door, in an area of the palace is the Frederic Mares museum, above the famous collector. The door has been named after Saint Iu, patron saint of lawyers, since the 15th century.

The Renaissance-looking reliefs on one side of the Sant Iu door, which are said to represent Wilfredo “el Pilos”, who was a count of Hispanic Gothic lineage who is attributed with the creation of the flag of Catalonia . Considered a brave warrior highlighted by his large amount of hair, it is said that, on his deathbed, not wanting to die without a banner, he traced four red stripes on a golden canvas with his fingers soaked in his own blood.