Koorgestoelte in de kathedraal van het Heilig Kruis en Sint Eulalia in Barcelona c. 1851 - 1890

The Centro Fotográfico captured this photograph of the choir stalls in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona. This image offers a glimpse into the sacred spaces of worship and the visual culture of religious authority. The imposing structure and intricate details of the choir stalls speak to the power and grandeur of the Church. It prompts us to consider the relationship between religious institutions and the communities they serve, and the ways in which architectural spaces reinforce social hierarchies. Think about the individuals who once occupied these spaces – the priests and members of the choir, figures of authority and devotion. What roles did gender, class, and race play in determining who had access to such sacred spaces? How do these physical structures shape our experiences and perceptions of the divine? This photograph invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between faith, power, and identity within the context of religious institutions.