On the second full day in Barcelona, we visited Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia. Gaudi (1852-1926) was a brilliant Catalan architect who was best known for his modern-gothic-abstract style.
The Sagrada Familia was the last project Gaudi worked on; he was hit by a train (or car) while it was still being constructed. Construction stopped for a while during the Spanish Civil war and while funds ran dry. The inside was finished in 2011, so tourists have only been able to view the inside for a few years. It is estimated that the entire building will be finished between 2026 and 2028.
The spires are under construction.
Nativity facade
There are eighteen spires on Gaudi's original design representing the twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. These spires make the church the tallest in the world. The church has three facades: nativity, passion, and glory. The inspiration and design are different for each. The pictures shown above and below are of the nativity facade which was the first created. This face shows the birth of Jesus, surrounded by animals.
I believe the texture of the walls was inspired by sand. It looks similar to the drip method I use to make sand castles.
The nativity scene
There's a colored tree covered with doves hidden on this facade.
Below are pictures of the inside of the church. There are very few straight edges because Gaudi liked the smoothness of nature. The building used no steel or wood because Gaudi's design was so strong, it could be held up by just stone. The pillars help to hold the high ceiling and because of their roundness, no buttresses are needed. This design also helps sound flow freely.
The pillars branch out like trees. This helps to stabilize the structure.
When the inside is finished, all the windows will be stained glass and glass designs will be on each pillar.
Gaudi constructed models instead of drawing. This technique enabled his creativity to flow while still making a sound structure.
The front of the church
Gaudi was able to use less material by cutting holes out of solid stone. The pillars enable him to do this.
Gaudi was inspired by sunflowers, which is clear in the stained glass windows he imagined.
A beautiful umbrella adorned with grapes holds Jesus on the crucifix, which Gaudi also designed.
The ceiling embodies the roof of a forest.
A giant mollusk shell holds holy water.
Kief inside the church.
Me inside the church.
After visiting the church, my mother wanted to stop by an old hospital that was designed by one of Gaudi's contemporaries. The hospital was closed, but we could view it from the outside.
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau from the front. Lluís Domènech i Montaner designed the building which, like Gaudi, took inspiration from nature and religion.
Kiefer and I at the front gate.
After that little expedition, we headed to Park Guell on the hill of El Carmel (it was quite a hike up that hill). Eusebi Güell commissioned Gaudi to create the private park over several plots of land. The park was a giant maze of beautiful gardens and mosaics.
The main entrance was home to sculptures and fountains. We headed to the right and up the hill to visit the main cross. We circled back through the sculptures and down the stairs on our way back.
I believe this was over the gift shop at the main entrance of the park. We could see it from the top of the park, after we'd climbed half the mountain (at least it seemed that way).
Kiefer and I at the beginning of our journey... that smile faded after a few hours. I let Kiefer take pictures with my new camera.
Buildings that Gaudi designed at the beginning of the park.
Kiefer at the main entrance of the park.
ibid.
He's getting tired of posing for my pictures, but he's a good sport about it.
This is where Kief takes over with the camera.
blarg.
And then I stole it back for a hot minute.
Love the shoes
This girl had fab kicks.
Overlooking the city
ibid.
Large stone structures and overlooks were plentiful at the beginning of our journey.
Taking a picture for someone else.
This girl had swag.
Kiefer, some guy, and I at the highest point of the park. From there we could practically see the whole city!
Selfie!
Kissy kissy!
Oh, there was awesome graffiti in Barcelona. I wish I had taken more photos of it!
A man was playing a steel guitar at the top of the hill. It was so romantic!
His smile is infectious; I'm glad I caught it on camera.
View of the Sagrada Familia from the top of the hill.
Again, the main entrance of the park.
Just some of Gaudi's stonework.
A fountain
My parents and I at the main viewing area (a large mosaic-ed platform).
The platform from the side and below
The famous mosaic-ed reptile
A man dressed as the reptile
I was exhausted and achy after visiting the park. I think we spent close to three hours there. We grabbed coffee before heading back on the train (the trains come every three minutes and they are exceptionally clean. New York could learn a few things from Barcelona). That night we had a magnificent dinner of tapas and drew Gaudi goblets on the place mats.
Mom's
Kiefer's
Dad's
Mine.
That concludes the end of the second day.
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