Carrer dels Abaixadors

This tiny street runs across from my apartment. This and several of the other smaller streets in the same area were the inspiration for this blog. At first it appears as though the street has absolutely nothing of interest. But there is a fantastic sculpture, and a broken tile with a medieval scene. There's also a nice restaurant on this street : La Luna

The street leads off of the Plaza where Santa Maria del Mar church is located.

I'm pretty sure that the name Abaixadors is a form of the Catalan word Bastaixadors. A Bastxai is also known as a Stevedore, labourers that unloaded ships.  In medieval times Barcelona didn't have a port so it was a huge undertaking unloading cargo onto the beach.

According to the book Cathedral of the Sea these workers transported the stones used to build the church from a quarry on the top of MontJuic.  As the crow flies the top of MontJuic is 2.5 kms from where the church lies. The Bastaxai carried the stones on behalf of the church voluntary...on their backs.

In honour of their dedication they are depicted on the door of the church.

The book is a good read and the church is well worth a visit. Wave to me on my terrace as you go past....