Jul 12, 2018
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
After our free Gaudi walking tour Colin also wanted to see the inside of Sagrada Familia as well as take exterior photos on a sunnier day. I was able to get a pair of senior tickets for our last full day ( June 8th ) in Barcelona for an 11AM entrance for only 22 euro or $34.35CAD, a good price I thought.
So much for packing and hair washing bit it was worth the effort.
Gaudi dedicated 43 years, almost his entire career, to this, his most prestigious and complex project.
So much detail.
There are twelve bell towers, four on each facade. They symbolize the apostles. Note the different letters on the front of each of these.
I believe that this is the Pinnacle of Saint Judas Thaddaeus tower.
The pelican had been put below the Tree of Life. It is the ancient Christian symbol of the Eucharist.
Veronica holds the veil with Jesus’ face on it.
In the sculpture above Gaudi put his own face on the statue on the left. I can see the resemblance.
There is a lot going on in this photo and it all means something. Amazing mind that created these plans.
This had been taken on our first visit here with the waking tour.
This final facade is very modern looking compared to the other three facades. It is called the Glory facade and behind where we are standing is an entire block of apartments that will be destroyed so that the entrance to the Basilica can be built. It will be very grand indeed but not so much for those who will be put our of their homes.
We were told what the fruit represents but I can’t remember what. My mind was boggled. As you can see this entire project is such a mix of styles and construction that it is difficult to see how it is supposed to come together.
So much to take in.
Once inside we just kept looking up. We were in awe. It looks so different inside. Once large room.
Stained glass was everywhere. One large section top to bottom would all be in greens and blues. Another section in oranges and reds.
Very difficult to photograph as it was so very very large and one really needed professional equipment to do justice to this wonderful Basilica. We mostly just walked around looking up and taking it all in. Under the main alter are crypts and Gaudi is in one of them.
I was so glad of our timing in that I was there for this. They have put in a few pews in front of the alter and I just sat and listened to the Angelus followed by an Ave Maria solo. As I listened I looked around me at the light streaming through the stained glass windows with goosebumps up my arms. A rather moving moment.
I suggest that you Google Sagrada Famila for more photos of the interior. We were just happy to be in the moment while there.
I will leave you here for tonight and finish off the rest of this day and our last day in Spain in my next post.
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What and amazing building though I do find it kind of gaudy.
Great picture of the two of you, and I absolutely love that last picture!
All I can say is….. Oh!!!!
Oh my, it looks amazing !
I can’t even imagine.
How fortunate you guys are to have experienced it.
No wonder you were exhausted and sick when you got home. So much effort to take in all these special wonders of the world and record them. Each place seems like you would need a month to take it all in. Way too much effort for me so thanks for your excellent pictures and commentary. A huge effort on your part and you put most bloggers to shame, me included!
I agree, as I caught up on the posts I realized just how much energy I had expended while we were away. It was a challenge in the preparation, to research what was the best to see in each place we visited. We knew that we would never go back there again so it was important to hit the highlights. Thank you for recognizing the effort each post took. I love your Mazatlan posts in which you put in so much detail. Hope to see you at the symphony.