The Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor, also known as Església dels Sants Just i Pastor in Catalan, is a remarkable basilica located in Barcelona, Catalonia. It received the prestigious title of minor basilica in 1948, making it the sixth church in Barcelona to be bestowed with this honor by Pope Pius XII.
The construction of this Gothic church commenced on February 1, 1342 and continued until 1574. The basilica was built upon the foundation of the previous Romanesque church and the site of the former chapel of Sant Celoni. The initial three sections of the nave were completed in 1363, with the vault of the feet following suit in the subsequent century.
The construction of the façade and belfry extended until the 16th century, under the watchful guidance of master builders Pere Blai, Joan Safont, and Joan Granja. In the 19th century, significant renovations took place, including the relocation of the choir from the center of the nave to the apse. To accommodate this change, the altar was moved forward.
Between 1880 and 1887, the façade was reconstructed in the Gothic Revival style by the skilled hands of architect Josep Oriol Mestres. Additional renovations were carried out in 1904 by August Font i Carreras, focusing on the chapel of the Santíssim. In 1944, the polychromy of the nave and 19th-century vaults were removed, and in 1946, the basilica underwent restoration under the supervision of architect Jeroni Martorell i Terrats.
As a testament to its grandeur and significance, the Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor was granted the title of minor basilica in 1948, signifying its esteemed place within the Catholic Church.
