LA SAGRADA FAMILIA by Antoni Gaudi

Gaudi’s magnum opus..

Gaudi is the person who gave Barcelona its real meaning definitely. We have no doubt about that. After Casa Mila and Casa Batllo our next wonder is Gaudi’s main work.. That is Gaudi’s number one.. His magnum opus.. The cathedral which he devoted his life.. La Sagrada Familia!

A Genious or A Fool?

‘I’m giving this diploma either to a fool or to a genius. Time will show..’ Gaudi’s senior and famous Catalan architect Elies Rogent had said this while giving the diploma of architecture. It cannot be known if he guessed Gaudi will do so many successful things and open new perspectives in architecture when he said this. But I can say that Gaudi who had taken the diploma from him is a genious without even a doubt..

I never get bored to say and I will always repeat this, this is one of my philosophy in the life actually..

I already had great respect to people who is planning to make his dream true despite of all oppositions. I loved Gaudí’s works but I also felt the same thing and respected him. I think he was so strong to realize his unusual dreams, so brave to maintain them and he had self-confidence..

I saw many church-cathedral which all are beautiful and impressive in many European cities. I must say that the Sagrada Familia is the most unusual and the most original one among others. This cathedral is the reflection of a limitless dream world. Gaudi had carried his surreal lines to the real World which can be in only a fairy tale and he did it with a very elegant way he could and gave Barcelona a new dimension.

Unfortunately, Gaudi lost his life before the church was finished. He died in a tram accident during his routine daily walking.

There are 3 portal in main facade. The birth of Jesus, his Passion(Christianity), death, resurrection, past and future glories are represented.

The exterior of the church is extremely splendid. You will probably get lost in details.

The ‘thing’ which trying to be on the same frame with the church is me…

The construction of the church began in 1882.

After his death, the church is still worked on to be finished. But according to some rumors it will never end.. The famous Catalan painter Salvador Dali said this about the completion of the church; “It would be a betrayal to even think of finishing the Sagrada Familia without genius. Let it remain there, like a huge rotting tooth.” 

Many masteries think as Dali. They take it as disrespect to Gaudi to use concrete instead of stone which  Gaudi preferred. So they don’t want this temple to be finshed.

According to my humble personal opinion, this church shouldn’t be finished. Because parts done by Gaudí’s look very impressive but parts done after Gaudi look so artificial. In fact the cathedral seems already completed.. You will think same when you see, I’m sure ..

organic architecture

As I’ve written before,  Gaudi’S inspiration source is nature. He was so influenced from the trees, insects, snails, honeycomb, human and animal skeletons, he has transferred all these things to his buildings. Bird motifs, the columns look like giant tree branches and forest view of La Sagrada Familia Church prove that.

full of flowers on the door…

let’s go inside…

SAGRADA FAMILIA INTERIOR

The dance of the sunlight and the lucarnes is very impressive and the color harmony is great. In addition, the Gregorian style spiritual music on the font add the chant atmosphere and takes you to a different dimension..

SAGRADA FAMILIA TOWERS

We saw the outside and inside the church, and now time to go to the towers. There are two towers permissed to climb. Nativity or Passion.. We will go to the Nativitiy.

Here are some photos from Nativity Towers..

Sagrada Familia is a building that has very deep meaning maybe because of the influence of Gaudi’s piety. Gaudi put many symbols related to religion, Jesus, the Virgin Mary, apostles on many points on the cathedral. Try to catch and understand these esoteric secrets..

City from the Nativity Tower

As I mentioned above there are 2 towers you can climb. Passion and Nativity.. I will tell you which tower should be chosen on the next post. I will also give some tips about an effective Sagrada Familia tour..

We have chosen ‘Nativity’ to climb.. And here are city view from Nativity Tower..

Snail-looking staircase

And time to go down.. We used the elevator to climb bur there is no elevator to go down.. We use the snail-looking spiral staircase.. This staircase is one of the reason to choose Nativity Tower instead of Passion..

Exterior view of the towers and Episcopal symbols..

La Sagrada Familia was amazing…

We are leaving Sagrada Familia with our respectful emotions to Gaudi one more time.

So Gaudi over?? Of course no! I said he created Barcelona.. Next is Hensel and Gretel’s house which is cake looking. So Park Güell.. It’s a little bit outside of the city.. We’ll use the subway and walk the rest of the route..

I can make a break for Barcelona and publish New York, Chicago or Stockholm posts before Park Güell post 🙂

But I want to give you some tips that will be useful for right planning and easy visit for your La Sagrada Familia tour. I hope these infos will work for you. You can reach to post ‘4 Tips for La Sagrada Familia’ by clicking here..

PS: Famous group Alan Parsons Project was inspired by Gaudi. The group made an album named Gaudi and dedicated this to him. Now, get ready and watch this masterpiece of 9 minutes named La Sagrada Familia by clicking here. The view of the church will you amaze you..

♥♥