Cathedral of the Sea (2018)
A sweeping Spanish historical drama set in medieval Barcelona, tracing one man's journey from serfdom to freedom against the rise of an iconic cathedral.
Cathedral of the Sea - Series Information
- Original Title: La catedral del mar
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Created by: Rodolf Sirera
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (50 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 8
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish, Portuguese
- First Air Date: May 23, 2018 (Brazil — 16), May 23, 2018 (South Korea — 19)
- Networks: Antena 3
- Production Companies: TV3
- Production Countries: Spain
Cathedral of the Sea - Plot
In the 14th century, Barcelona is experiencing one of its most prosperous moments. The city has grown to La Ribera, a fishing district in which the largest Marian temple ever known is built: Santa María del Mar. But the construction runs parallel to Arnau Estanyol, a serf of the land who, fleeing the abuses of The feudal lords of the countryside take refuge in Barcelona.
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Cathedral of the Sea - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Rodolf Sirera
Main Cast
- Aitor Luna
- Pablo Derqui
- Michelle Jenner
- Daniel Grao
- Andrea Duro
- Nora Navas
- Jordi Aguilar
- Silvia Abascal
- Ramón Madaula
- Críspulo Cabezas
Writers
- Tyler Rhoads
- Sergio Barrejón
- Antonio Onetti
- Rodolf Sirera
Executive Producers
- Jordi Frades
Cathedral of the Sea - FAQs
Is Cathedral of the Sea based on a true story?
The series is based on Ildefonso Falcones' bestselling 2006 historical novel of the same name. While Arnau Estanyol is a fictional character, the backdrop is deeply rooted in real history — the construction of the Santa María del Mar basilica in 14th-century Barcelona is a genuine historical event, lending the story remarkable authenticity.
Who plays Arnau Estanyol in Cathedral of the Sea?
Spanish actor Aitor Luna takes on the central role of Arnau Estanyol, a serf who escapes feudal oppression and builds a new life in Barcelona. Luna delivers a compelling performance across the eight-episode miniseries, anchoring the sweeping historical narrative with emotional depth and physicality.
Where can you stream Cathedral of the Sea?
Cathedral of the Sea is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. If you prefer to own it, episodes are also available for purchase through Amazon Video. A free ad-supported option is available via Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads.
Is Cathedral of the Sea worth watching?
For fans of sweeping historical drama, it absolutely is. The series brings medieval Barcelona to life with impressive production values, a richly layered story of class struggle and survival, and strong performances from its ensemble cast. Its eight-episode format keeps the pacing tight and the emotional stakes consistently high throughout.
What is Cathedral of the Sea about?
Set in 14th-century Barcelona, the series follows Arnau Estanyol, a serf who flees feudal abuse in the countryside and seeks a better life in the city's thriving La Ribera district. His journey unfolds against the monumental construction of Santa María del Mar, a cathedral built by the people of Barcelona.
How many episodes does Cathedral of the Sea have?
Cathedral of the Sea consists of 8 episodes, each running approximately 50 minutes. The series aired as a miniseries in 2018 on Antena 3 in Spain, adapting Ildefonso Falcones' sprawling novel into a focused, self-contained narrative that concludes within a single season.
Where was Cathedral of the Sea filmed?
The series was filmed primarily in Spain, with production making extensive use of historical locations and period-accurate sets to recreate 14th-century Barcelona. The real Santa María del Mar basilica in the Born district of Barcelona — the very church depicted in the story — features prominently in the production's visual identity.
What shows are similar to Cathedral of the Sea?
If you enjoyed Cathedral of the Sea, you might also like Heirs to the Land (2022), a Spanish sequel series set in the same medieval Barcelona world, or The Cook of Castamar (2021) and The Spanish Princess (2019) for more period drama. World Without End (2012) offers a similarly epic medieval European backdrop.
More About Cathedral of the Sea
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