The church has been designed by whom I think is a genius, Antoni Gaudi. A deeply religious man, he wanted to create a church that could bring people into reflection and thus closer to God, it took him over 43 years to create this intricate and beautiful but yet to be complete work of art.
We visited this church early in the morning, we arrived after 10am, the line for the entrance was already circling half way around the church.
As we were queuing we saw there was an entrance for JMJ pilgrims, the people there were admitting JMJ pilgrims for 4 euros instead of the standard rate of 12 euros. However we must present credentials. This put us into a little dilemma, we have already either put away or thrown out our passes. Luckily Dominique previously received the confirmation certificate via email. As we queued Dominique went to find a wifi connection to download the certificate.
He initially went to Starbucks that required purchases to use the wifi. It was frustrating for him when he brought something but was still unable to connect with the given codes. We later found a
McDonald nearby and finally downloaded the certificate.
With the JMJ discount we gained entrance with audio guides for just 5 euros!
For those travelers who will visit the Sagrada Familia, I highly recommend either hiring the audio guide or to bring along some information book about this church, it will make the difference between a boring church visit to an amazing revelation of Gaudi's genius.
I do not plan to blog here of each individual points of interest about La Sagrada Familia as it would be too much to blog since nearly all aspect of the church is intensely thought provoking. I will instead post the photos of areas in the church I appreciates the most.
This is the Nativity Facade, from afar, it looks like a dense stone forest that is indistinguishable, closer up, we see the whole facade with scenes from the early life of Jesus, all combine in harmony with the theme of nature. This is the only facade Gaudi saw to near the end of it's completion. This was to be the model for future workers to simulate for the other two facades.
This is one of towers with the words 'Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus' inscribed all the way around the tower. Like voices of angels proclaiming to the world below 'Holy, Holy, Holy is our God Almighty'.
The inner forest created by tree like columns, in the words of Gaudi "the intimacy combined with the spaciousness is that of the forest, which will be the interior of the church"
The light from the ceiling just above the alter is like an opening in the forest canopy where one can get a glimpse heaven.
The Paternoster door, designed to be the main entrance into the church, the Lords Prayer is in Catalan whilst behind is the words 'give us this day our daily bread' in fifty languages.
This Glory facade is incomplete, Gaudi knew this would be so, he designed and planned so that each generation of craftsman may add their own interpretation to this facade, to describe not only the origin and end of human beings, but also our road that will lead us to personal fulfillment and glory. I pray that within my lifetime I may get the opportunity to see this in completion.
The choir loft that runs all the way around the Church which can seat 1000 people.
The Passion facade, where the Nativity facade is filled with life and intricacy, the Passion facade is somber and stark. On the facade flows the 14 stations of the cross.
On the entrance doors and above is inscribed all the words from the four gospels documenting Jesus crucifixion. Those words the artist wished to highlight is in gold.
'What is the truth?'
We could go up one of the towers for 2.50 euros.
I think everyone has to make up their own minds whether they like the Sagrada Familia, to me it was the work of a genius who poured himself into its creation, to try to show people his love of God and to share it with the generations to come. It is beautiful in my eyes. Barcelona is very blessed to have such in their city.
That afternoon we went to visit another monument by Gaudi at Montjuic. Park Guell.
This is the hill we have to go up before we could get to the park. Its not all escalated so had to walk up some steps too!
I found this park beautiful but nothing in comparison to the Sagrada Familia. The sky started to rumble just as we were about to leave and not long afterwards the sky poured down rain! We didn't even make it to the bottom of the hill and was soaked even with our umbrellas. Spain has very sudden changes in weather!
That night we had dinner at an Italian restaurant and tried out the Catalan Sausage, it's nice but not as good as German sausages. I have come to really like German sausages, the good thing about being in Europe is that the sausages is much more affordable than at home.
That night there was a game on between Barcelona and Porto, I saw the waiters and chiefs all huddle behind a counter just outside the kitchen. As I passed by after using the bathroom, Barcelona must have scored because I saw one of the waiter do a silent victory dance!
It was amusing when they found out I was watching because he has this sheepish grin on his face. Soccer is the heart of Barcelonians so who could blame them?
That night we had to buy big bottles of water home, the tap water in Barcelona is quite unpalatable, it is usually against my economical sense to pay for water, but after tasting the water here I decided it would be better to pay than drinking from the tap. I think that is why I see so many locals also drinking bottle waters also.
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