Barcelona has numerous attractions. It is reknowned for its international community, partying, noise level, and its architecture. Catalonia's famous architect Gaudi left a lasting legacy with his work. All of his work pinpoints to La Sagrada Familia, the Sacred Family. The basilica continues to climb into the sky to this day and be a proud symbol of Barcelona.
Gaudi, obviously, did not live to see his work finished. In fact, his crypt is within La Sagrada Familia's. He knew that it would not be finished within his life and said that the project would cross several generations. The 132 year-old structure started its construction in 1882 and aims to finish in 2026. A UNESCO worksworld heritage site, Gaudí imagined it as a gift to the world. What a gift he has left us with!
To see this fantastic gift to the world, you NEED to reserve online. I mean, you can wait in line for an hour or so and get an entry ticket for four or five hours later than when you asked for the tickets themselves. Plus, you might not even get to climb one of the two towers. So, book online and choose one of the towers. If you do not buy that sight, you're missing out! Seriously, buy it. It's expensive, yes. When will you have another chance, though? Do it. Also, choose the Passion tower, instead of the Nativity. We think it has better views.
Miguel and I planned an entire day. We packed for it - food, water, and camera. We took over 500 pictures that day. Out of all the churches I have seen, this one was the most beautiful. Religious or not, everyone can appreciate the beauty, symbolism, and etail that was put into this building.We arrived early with our tickets and stood in line for the audio tour, which I recommend. The tour is enjoyable and relates the full story of La Sagrada Familia. My own audio was in English and Miguel's was in Spanish. Of course. ;-)
You begin on the Nativity side. Gaudi surrounds the celebration of Christ's birth with symbols of nature and scenes associated with the Nativity story. I enjoyed the tortoise and seaturtle at the bottom of the entrance columns and the door. The door is covered in metal ivy and an ecclectic mix of insects.
Through the doors, I promise, it seems like you've entered a piece of heaven. La Sagrada's interior opens to a kaleidoscope effect of colors. The stain glass windows allow the sun's light to flood in the entire color spectrum with details about saints and others' contributions to the grandeur. My favorite of the stain glass windows was a grey/white scale window. It reminded me of an overcast sky but with the sun beaming behind them. Very lovely and it was difficult to photograph. We had a difficult time focusing on the window due to the connecting black lines in the window. Really, it was gorgeous. Other aspects that made me think that La Sagrada could be a scene for heaven was its white halls, geometric shapes, and dedication to the blending of nature and our modern human world. The pillars resembled trees twisting in geometrical patterns to the ceiling/canopy. In the middle of this canopy was the main area where it functions as a church. People come to worship and pray at its center where Jesus hangs from a lavish chandelier with grapes and grain detailed into the glass. Jesus' chandelier reminded of a one piece lamp that you want to show off in your living room. And behind him a grand light comes from an oval window high above to allow the sun to bath the pulpit with light. Gaudí heavily used light and his inspiration from nature.
We enjoyed the main hall until it was time we were allowed access to the Passion tower. We took the elevator with out small group to amazing views of Barcelona. There were great views all around the town. You could see the sea, the mountains, the vast city, and its differences. Plus, you were able to see more of La Sagrada's details on the outside, as well as current construction. I remember seeing artisans work on one of the decorative mosaic chimneys...I think it was a grape. The views might have been great but they did not stop BECAUSE we took the stairs down. PLEASE, do yourself a favor and take the stairs down. It might be cramped and windy but there are plenty of spaces to rest going down. Do it.
Our last stop was the Passion side, or the Crusifixion. The Nativity was flowered Spring-like with realistic statues and nature glorifying the birth of Jesus. His death IS the equivilant of winter. He designed it in a way to respresent bones. The scene is encased in pillars that look like ribs or thinly stretched muscle tendon. The statues are jagged, rough, and square-like. This was my favorite part of the entire place. My favorite of the statues happens to be Judas Iscariot's kiss. It's homoerotic the way it is depicted. ;) Can't help it. We were able to get a postcard of this side that we enjoyed.
There is so much I wish I could say about La Sagrada. It's beautiful, intricate, and should be something you see in your life, if you do it. It's expensive, yes. You need to plan it accordingly with your schedule, their schedule, the tower, and the weather. Spend a whole day there! Bring food and water in your bag. Buy a postcard from the shop to show off its artwork. Just go. It shouldn't even be a question when you visit Barcelona. Oh, and get a T10 ticket with the metro. That ticket is a good thing to have and La Sagrada is right beside a metro stop. ;-)
We took over 500 photos of La Sagrada. I want to share some great shots because it is one place that should be seen.
Gaudi, obviously, did not live to see his work finished. In fact, his crypt is within La Sagrada Familia's. He knew that it would not be finished within his life and said that the project would cross several generations. The 132 year-old structure started its construction in 1882 and aims to finish in 2026. A UNESCO worksworld heritage site, Gaudí imagined it as a gift to the world. What a gift he has left us with!
To see this fantastic gift to the world, you NEED to reserve online. I mean, you can wait in line for an hour or so and get an entry ticket for four or five hours later than when you asked for the tickets themselves. Plus, you might not even get to climb one of the two towers. So, book online and choose one of the towers. If you do not buy that sight, you're missing out! Seriously, buy it. It's expensive, yes. When will you have another chance, though? Do it. Also, choose the Passion tower, instead of the Nativity. We think it has better views.
Miguel and I planned an entire day. We packed for it - food, water, and camera. We took over 500 pictures that day. Out of all the churches I have seen, this one was the most beautiful. Religious or not, everyone can appreciate the beauty, symbolism, and etail that was put into this building.We arrived early with our tickets and stood in line for the audio tour, which I recommend. The tour is enjoyable and relates the full story of La Sagrada Familia. My own audio was in English and Miguel's was in Spanish. Of course. ;-)
You begin on the Nativity side. Gaudi surrounds the celebration of Christ's birth with symbols of nature and scenes associated with the Nativity story. I enjoyed the tortoise and seaturtle at the bottom of the entrance columns and the door. The door is covered in metal ivy and an ecclectic mix of insects.
Through the doors, I promise, it seems like you've entered a piece of heaven. La Sagrada's interior opens to a kaleidoscope effect of colors. The stain glass windows allow the sun's light to flood in the entire color spectrum with details about saints and others' contributions to the grandeur. My favorite of the stain glass windows was a grey/white scale window. It reminded me of an overcast sky but with the sun beaming behind them. Very lovely and it was difficult to photograph. We had a difficult time focusing on the window due to the connecting black lines in the window. Really, it was gorgeous. Other aspects that made me think that La Sagrada could be a scene for heaven was its white halls, geometric shapes, and dedication to the blending of nature and our modern human world. The pillars resembled trees twisting in geometrical patterns to the ceiling/canopy. In the middle of this canopy was the main area where it functions as a church. People come to worship and pray at its center where Jesus hangs from a lavish chandelier with grapes and grain detailed into the glass. Jesus' chandelier reminded of a one piece lamp that you want to show off in your living room. And behind him a grand light comes from an oval window high above to allow the sun to bath the pulpit with light. Gaudí heavily used light and his inspiration from nature.
We enjoyed the main hall until it was time we were allowed access to the Passion tower. We took the elevator with out small group to amazing views of Barcelona. There were great views all around the town. You could see the sea, the mountains, the vast city, and its differences. Plus, you were able to see more of La Sagrada's details on the outside, as well as current construction. I remember seeing artisans work on one of the decorative mosaic chimneys...I think it was a grape. The views might have been great but they did not stop BECAUSE we took the stairs down. PLEASE, do yourself a favor and take the stairs down. It might be cramped and windy but there are plenty of spaces to rest going down. Do it.
Our last stop was the Passion side, or the Crusifixion. The Nativity was flowered Spring-like with realistic statues and nature glorifying the birth of Jesus. His death IS the equivilant of winter. He designed it in a way to respresent bones. The scene is encased in pillars that look like ribs or thinly stretched muscle tendon. The statues are jagged, rough, and square-like. This was my favorite part of the entire place. My favorite of the statues happens to be Judas Iscariot's kiss. It's homoerotic the way it is depicted. ;) Can't help it. We were able to get a postcard of this side that we enjoyed.
There is so much I wish I could say about La Sagrada. It's beautiful, intricate, and should be something you see in your life, if you do it. It's expensive, yes. You need to plan it accordingly with your schedule, their schedule, the tower, and the weather. Spend a whole day there! Bring food and water in your bag. Buy a postcard from the shop to show off its artwork. Just go. It shouldn't even be a question when you visit Barcelona. Oh, and get a T10 ticket with the metro. That ticket is a good thing to have and La Sagrada is right beside a metro stop. ;-)
We took over 500 photos of La Sagrada. I want to share some great shots because it is one place that should be seen.