<P> The cathedral has a secluded Gothic cloister where 13 white geese are kept, the number explained by the assertion that Eulalia was 13 when she was martyred . </P> <P> A program of cleaning and restoration of the cathedral was carried out from 1968 - 72 . </P> <P> Parts of an early Christian and visigothic episcopal complex including the baptistery (4th century), a basilical hall (5th century), a cross shaped church (6th - 7th century) and bishop's palace (6th - 7th century) are displayed in the Barcelona City History Museum archaeological underground . Reportedly, this Visigothic chapel was dedicated to Saint James, and was the proprietary church of the Viscounts of Barcelona . However, in a document from the Second Council of Barcelona in 599, it states that the cathedral was dedicated to the Holy Cross . This church was severely damaged by al - Mansur (Almanzor) during his attack on Barcelona in 985 . </P> <P> In 1046, Count Ramon Berenguer I and his wife Almodis, together with Bishop Guislabert, began construction of a Romanesque cathedral at the site; it was consecrated in November 1058 . The cathedral was constructed over the crypt of the former church . It has been reported that a Viscount of Barcelona, Mir Geribert, sold the site to Bishop Guislebert in 1058, however this date does not coincide with the reported start of construction . </P>

The cathedral of the holy cross and saint eulalia