Barcelona - Basilica of the Sagrada Familia

Today we retraced our steps back to the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia for our appointed time to get inside the basilica.  We noticed that because it was Saturday, things were a little more crowded and there seemed to be more street vendors.  But it was a sunny day in Barcelona.

The Basilica was started by a group who wanted a monumental church dedicated to the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia).  The foundation for the church was laid in 1882 but by 1883 the original architect resigned.  The job was then given to a young but promising new architect, Antoni Gaudi.  He kept the existing foundation but changed the design from a pyramid-shaped one to one with 18 bell-towers or domes, 8 of which have now been built.  The Pope gave it the Basilica status.  Gaudi was very spiritual and very into nature, and the design reflects nature, both in the actual representation and in the structural elements.  There are fruits, for instance, on the outside of the building.  The columns in the interior reflect the branching of trees.  Natural shapes, such as spirals and hyperboloids, are used extensively due to their exceptional strength and reflection of nature.  The proper use of light was also very important to him.  It is really a unique building.

He knew he would;t live long enough to complete the building and he wanted it to be one for the centuries.  He proposed that he complete the Nativity facade and leave the others for the next generations.

Nativity facade

Passion facade

The two completed facades are the Nativity and the Passion.  The Nativity is more traditional looking and full of joy.  The Passion facade is much starker.  Both are extremely beautiful.  They are working on the Glory facade now.  You can go up in two towers.  We chose the Passion tower which looks out over Barcelona.  You go up and down in an elevator (lift) but there is a part where you can walk.  It has a helicoidal staircase.  It was a little scary but you sure could see Barcelona.  Glad it was a sunny day, too.  Better for that than the rain of yesterday.

Glory facade

We walked back from there and passed the Arc de Triomf and the Chocolate Museum.  My feet hurt too much to tour the Chocolate Museum after hours at the Sagrada Familia so we just looked in at the chocolate.  It is a testament to my restraint and the busyness of the place that I didn;t buy any.  I will make up for that in Germany as my stash I brought over with me is almost gone.

We also passed a bocci ball game in progress.

It was another tiring day but a really good one.  There is just no describing of the Basilica that does it justice.  It was spectacular.