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At 104-m (340-ft) long, Tarragona’s cathedral is the largest in the region. Its architecture is a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque, and it is crowned by a huge octagonal bell tower.

La Rambla was once dotted with religious buildings, most built in the 17th and 18th centuries when the Catholic Church was flush with money. This església remains one of the most important functioning churches from this period.

Founded as a Benedictine monastery in the 9th century by Guifre II, a count of Barcelona, this church was rebuilt the following century. Its sculpted façade and intimate cloister with rounded arches bear all the trademarks of the Romanesque style. (Charming Churches & Chapels).

Originally built in 801 as a chapel for troops stationed in Barcelona, this església later became a spiritual retreat for young daughters of nobility. The church was rebuilt in the 12th century and is notable today for its Romanesque central cupola and a series of Romanesque capitals topped with carved leaves. Look out for two stone tablets depicting a Greek cross, which are from the original chapel.

The elegant church of Santa Maria del Mar (1329–83) is one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic, a style characterized by measured simplicity. A spectacular stained-glass rose window illuminates the lofty interior. See Església de Santa Maria del Mar.

This lovely Gothic church with its ornate stained-glass windows graces Plaça del Pi (Charming Churches & Chapels) with its elegant presence.

With a rationally plain façade alleviated only by its Mudéjar- style brick work, this austere building, dating to 1886, was originally home to the publishing house Montaner i Simon. It bears the distinction of being the first Modernista work to be designed by Domènech i Montaner, which explains why it has so few of the ornate decorative touches that distinguish his later works. Home to the Fundació Tàpies, it is now dominated by an enormous sculpture by the contemporary Catalan artist, Antoni Tàpies. (Fundació Tàpies).

In defiant contrast to the Eixample’s symmetrical grid-like pattern, this ambitious project was planned around two avenues running at 45-degree angles to the Eixample streets. Started by Domènech i Montaner in 1905 and later completed by his son in 1930, the hospital pavilions are lavishly embellished with mosaics, stained glass and sculptures by Eusebi Arnau. The octagonal columns with floral capitals are inspired by those in the Monestir de Santes Creus (Monestir de Santes Creus), to the south of Barcelona. (Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau).

This amazing apartment block, with its curving façade and bizarre rooftop, has all of Gaudí’s architectural trademarks. Especially characteristic are the wrought-iron balconies and the ceramic mosaics decorating the entrance halls. (La Pedrera).

Catalonia’s holiest place is the region’s most visited monastery. It boasts some Romanesque art and a statue of the “Black Virgin”. (Montserrat).