The church was constructed primarily using funds donated by local fishermen and merchants.
The massive Baroque altarpiece is considered one of the finest examples of its style in the Girona province.
The church site served as a strategic lookout point due to its elevation above the harbor.
During the 17th century, the church was heavily fortified to protect local residents from frequent pirate incursions.
The bell tower displays a square base that transitions into an octagonal upper section.
The church is oriented in a way that provides a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea from the surrounding square.
Santa Maria de Cadaqués is a 16th-century Gothic church situated at the highest point of the old town, overlooking the bay of Cadaqués. The building features a prominent whitewashed exterior, characteristic of the local architecture in the Cap de Creus peninsula. Its interior is dominated by a monumental Baroque altarpiece created by Jeroni Escarabatxeres in the early 18th century, gilded with gold leaf. The structure replaced an earlier Romanesque church that was destroyed by pirate raids in 1444. The current building was completed in the late 16th century, though construction spanned several decades. Visitors can view various religious artworks and liturgical artifacts dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. The church remains the primary Catholic parish for the town of Cadaqués.
The church square provides the best angle for capturing the white facade against the blue backdrop of the Cadaqués bay.
Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, as the streets leading to the church are steep and cobbled.
The area surrounding the church gets very crowded; visit early in the morning to enjoy the architecture without the peak heat and tourist throngs.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as the climb to the church has little to no shade.
Do not attempt to drive a car up the narrow streets leading to the church as they are often pedestrian-only or restricted to residents.
Maintain a quiet, respectful volume inside; keep shoulders and knees covered when entering the church.
