I could stand at the doors of Sagrada Familia all day, just to see the look of awe and wonder that comes across each person’s face as they enter for the first time. What a privilege to have shared this moment now with Andrew, Kate and Jeff, as well as my Mum on my first visit. It’s truly special.
The Cathedral blends art, nature, community and engineering to tell the story of Christ. Like all of Gaudi’s work, it’s the deep thought behind the large scale and intricate detail that seamlessly draws people in. The Nativity Facade at the entrance was built between 1894 and 1930 and is the only facade completed in Gaudi’s lifetime. It tells the story of new beginnings with little nods to the people in the local area that helped to bring the Cathedral project to life – including Jesus depicted in a construction bucket to recognise the workers.
Nature is embedded in every aspect of the Cathedral. Inside, the 36 main columns are designed in the style of a great forest, with textured tree-trunks branching out to support the canopy-like ceiling. The use of different materials such as basalt and granite, provides subtle colour and texture variation to mark different evangelists, apostles, continents and archdioceses. In true Guadi style, they draw light through the Cathedral.
The brilliant coloured light through the stained glass windows is stunning. There is no art in the Cathedral, with Gaudi preferring to use the windows to tell stories and provide natural beauty.
It was a very deliberate choice to come in the morning. The Cathedral is designed to capture the morning light from the East on the Nativity Facade. Inside, the stained glass windows are blues and greens, giving the Cathedral a fresh and calm feel. It’s my time of day!
A trip to the top of the towers provides great closeups of the fruit baskets at the pinnacles, symbolising the seasons and each of the 12 months of the year. On the Nativity side, we also captured views across Barcelona, past the cypress tree and a crown on one of the spires.
The craftsmanship and longevity of these structures is amazing, and I wonder if the newer construction will live up to the same standards. It’s well worth the effort of the 400+ winding stairs to the bottom!
Detail, detail, detail… the museum underneath Sagrada Familia includes history and stories behind the detail. Nature provided both inspiration for the decorative aspects of the building and a model for developing the structural and building elements. Geometric shapes are hidden throughout nature and were translated to the architecture inside and out.
Gaudi was a master of prototyping, favouring scale models and drawings over detailed plans. The engineering of the structure is well-known to have been created upside down using strings and weights. It’s quite a mind that comes up with these concepts and designs, well before the world had the technology to make the build happen.
Any conversation about Sagrada Familia quickly turns to ‘completion’. Announcements in February gave plenty of people the impression it was finished, however this referred to the completion of the main central structure and the final tower, the tower of Jesus Christ. This sits alongside the star of the Virgin Mary that was completed in late 2021.
It’s said the project is about 76% complete with the Glory Facade, the final facade to the South is expected to continue to at least 2034. It’s a project funded by community, that brings the community together while it’s a work in progress. I’m not sure if it’s ever meant to be ‘finished’ and how the world will feel after 100+ years of ongoing construction. Regardless, it’s a beautiful structure at every time of day, although the cranes will remain in every photo for a while yet!
It wouldn’t have been right to leave Barcelona without a swim in the Iberian Sea. Before the olympics Barcelona was described as ‘turning its back on the sea’, since that time the man-made river sand beach has become a beautiful spot in the middle of the city. The sea was cool and clear with plenty of small fish to keep me company. The people sunbaking on the beach have no idea what they’re missing out on!
We farewelled Kate and Jeff this evening over paella and anchovies. It’s been so good to see them and share this Barcelona experience 🩵
Love M & A x
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