Sagrada Familia,
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Spain
Sagrada FamiliaVisited: August 1985, May 2002, December 2006 More pictures of Sagrada Familia:
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In this city of Gaudí, the Sagrada Familia is the biggest project of the famous architect and artist. It can easily be called his masterpiece, because he worked over 40 years on it. The most interesting part of the story is, of course, that it has never been finished. In fact, while visiting the site, workers are busy everywhere, and you inevitably see huge cranes as if they were additional bell towers to the temple. At first, they might be disturbing to the visitor, until you realize they are an integral part of the Sagrada Familia. In fact, the project of the church has seen misfortune, first when Gaudí was overrun by a streetcar and died (he actually only saw one of the belltowers), and then in the civil war when many of his models of the Sagrada Familia were destroyed.
The temple/church, dedicated to the Holy Family as it name implies, is unique not only for still being under construction (some even claim that it will never be finished; the goal is to finish it in 2026). It uses geometrical shapes, elements of nature that can be appreciated in all sections of the enormous building still without a roof. In the end, there should be 12 towers, each of which representing an apostle - at present, there are only 8. The central dome will eventually have a tall tower dedicated to Jesus, with an enormous cross, accompanied by a Virgin Mary tower, and four additional ones for the four apostles.
The outside of the Sagrada Familia shows the life of Jesus, while the inside is dedicated to Jerusalem, the holy city. Symbolism everywhere - the Sagrada Familia was well thought over. When entering from the South side (Facade of the Passion), you enter through the newly built side. It symbolizes grief, and is very sober. The North side (Facade of the Nativity) is authentic and older, and is decorated abundantly, expressing a vitality in an original way within the Gothic setting. It also gives access to stairs that ultimately take you to just under the top of the bell towers. From here, you can get pretty good views of the colourful decorations so typical of Gaudí with which he embellished the spires of the Sagrada Familia.
