Sagrada Familia

The construction of this imposing church began in 1882 and is still going on. The Sagrada Familia might be considered Antoni Gaudi's masterpiece, to this impressive church Gaudi dedicated more than 40 years of is life and it has been his only worry during the last 15 years of his life. The Sagrada Familia, as we can see it today, surely does not look as its designer wished. During the Civil War the plans and the models done by Gaudi where destroyed by anarchists, therefore the construction goes on thanks to some models that have been put back together and not on any surviving Gaudi's plan. The church is an astonishing example of modern Gothic, with a Latin cross plan and five aisles and, once completed, it will have three façades: the Nativity, the Passion and the Glory. The latter is not completed yet, while the first one is to most faithful to Gaudi's project and the one of the Passion is the most controversial piece of art of this infinite construction site. There are lots of things to be seen on the inside and the outside of this gorgeous church, from the huge number of statues to the symbols scattered everywhere. Do not miss the magic square on the façade of the Passion or the statue of an anarchist bomber in the path leading to the towers. Once the church will be completed there will be 18 towers crowning Gaudi's main project: 12 towers for the apostles, 4 for the Evangelists, one for Mary and the tallest one for Jesus Christ. Do you know why the church is being built with no hurry? Gaudi used to say that his client was not in a hurry! Just one more tip, if you wish to visit both the Sagrada Familia and Gaudi's house inside Park Güell don't forget to ask for the discounted ticket for both attractions.

La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, 2006
by Peter Uspensky

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