Barcelona’s most well-known church is the Sagrada Familia, designed by world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí. It’s still unfinished, but that doesn’t prevent it from being enormous or impressive. The facade is extraordinarily intricate; it depicts religious scenes on both the front and the back of the building with detailed carvings that fill in the space on all sides. With such an ornate exterior, I expected to be disappointed by the interior. I figured the Sagrada Familia couldn’t live up to all the hype.
I was so wrong. The Sagrada Familia is absolutely amazing inside. Its innovative, modernist design seems a bit incongruous with the more traditional style outside, but that makes it even more exciting.
Gaudí used careful mathematical calculations to design a church that would mimic elements of nature, like these geometrically perfect parabolic arches designed to resemble trees. He also emphasized light, and I instantly fell in love with his rainbow-colored stained glass.
His motif of nature doesn’t stop with the arches or the windows, either. I went up into one of the church’s towers to see the view of Barcelona, and the staircase down even looks like a shell.
I loved the Sagrada Familia, and this overview doesn’t do it justice. There’s so much more to discover about Gaudí’s techniques and purpose, so it’s definitely a must-see for anyone who finds themselves in Barcelona.
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I’m going to Barcelona in a few weeks and I can’t wait to see this. Any other tidbits you have about Barcelona would be awesome. ;)
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I’ve got two other posts on the blog about Barcelona!! How many days will you be there?
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I read them. I’ll be there about 10 days. *Yay*
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That’s a nice long chunk of time! I can’t reiterate enough how worth it the Dali Museum is. I absolutely love walking tours, especially in the first day or two, and there’s a company (I think their logo is pink but I don’t know what the company is called) that does pay-what-you-think-it’s-worth walking tours that are thorough and wonderful and show you how to use the metro. If you were there for less time I’d say pass on the Museum of Catalan Art, but if you like Gothic/Renaissance art it’s pretty cool (helps if you know Spanish, though, none of the explanations are in English). Also, all the Gaudi of course: Park Guell, Casa de la Pedrera, etc.
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Thanks! I read about that ‘pay what you think’ walking tour. I didn’t know if I should trust it or not. I have a lot planned which most I’m sure will probably not happen but I have my list of Must Dos. I’d rather have too much to do than too little.
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The great thing about that system is that the tour guides are totally qualified, and if anything are working harder & better to get paid more. Our guide was really personable and knowledgable.
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Thanks. So helpful.
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