Basilica of Our Lady of the Pine Tree, Barcelona, Spain
The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Pine, or Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi in Catalan, is a historic Catholic church in Barcelona. It features the distinct Catalan Gothic style. Since 1931, it has held the status of a Site of Cultural Interest. You will find it on Cardenal Casañas Street, directly facing the Plaza del Pino.
According to tradition, the church got its name from a pine tree. Someone reportedly found an image of the Virgin Mary inside the trunk of a pine. Therefore, people planted a pine tree in front of the church. Others, however, believe the pine represents purity. Because the tree stays green year-round, it symbolizes the Virgin’s constant grace. In addition, some say the tree reminds believers to lift their thoughts toward heaven.
Furthermore, historian Balaguer refers to Antonio de Bofarull’s guidebook Cicerone for more detail. In it, Bofarull explains that people planted a pine tree there in 1568. Over time, it grew as tall as the nearby buildings. Sadly, the tree died in 1802. A soldier stabbed it with a bayonet, which caused it to wither.
Besides its main name, the church also holds another title. Many call it Our Lady or Saint Mary of the Kings. This name, according to some, came from its original altarpiece. That artwork showed the Adoration of the Kings. As a result, the scene became closely tied to the church’s identity.
Even today, the basilica houses a painting of the same event. Moreover, the image adds to the church’s spiritual and artistic value. Because of its long history, symbolic traditions, and beautiful artwork, the church remains a meaningful place. Visitors often come for both quiet reflection and cultural appreciation.
Connectivity of Basilica of Our Lady of the Pine Tree, Barcelona, Spain
Airways
The nearest airport is Barcelona-El Prat Airport, about 15 kilometers from the basilica. From the airport, you can take the Aerobus to Plaça Catalunya, which is just a 5-minute walk from the church. Another option is the metro: take Line L9 from the airport, change at Zona Universitària to Line L3, and get off at Liceu Station, which is very close. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are also available and usually take around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Railways
Barcelona has two major train stations that connect to the rest of Spain and Europe. Barcelona Sants Station, located about 3.5 kilometers away, offers direct access to Metro Line L3, which will take you to Liceu Station, just a short walk from the basilica. Estació de França is another main station, around 2 kilometers from the church. From there, you can either walk for about 20 minutes or take a short taxi ride.
Roadways
The basilica is well connected by local and intercity buses. From Estació del Nord, the main bus terminal, you can take Bus V17 or a taxi, which takes about 10 minutes. City bus lines such as 59, V13, and 120 stop near La Rambla or Plaça del Pi, both just a few minutes' walk from the church. Although it is possible to drive to the area, parking in the Gothic Quarter is limited, so using public transport is highly recommended.
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