http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797 http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797 http://ie2.trivago.com/images/layoutimages/logos/default.png http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892240 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:28:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892236 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:26:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892234 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:26:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892232 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:25:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892230 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:25:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892228 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:24:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892226 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:24:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892224 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:23:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892220 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:22:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10892216 Sun, 12 May 2013 15:21:00 +0200 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705801 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:20:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705797 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:20:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705791 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:20:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705787 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:19:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705783 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:19:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705777 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:18:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705773 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:18:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705769 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:17:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705765 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:17:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/picture-i10705761 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:16:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o1069164 Sat, 28 Jul 2012 15:14:00 +0200
It has no comparison with anything you have seen before.]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o974516 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:50:00 +0100 http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o901191 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:38:00 +0200 Unfortunately, Gaudi was run over by a tram and died in 1926, aged 73 and is buried inside the church. He had spent more than 40 years working on the church, and knew anyway that it would never be completed in his lifetime, but had drawn plans so that the church could continue to be built after his death, which is what has happened and continues to this day.
Four architects have continued to work upon the church and despite some of Gaudi's plans being destroyed in the Civil War, they have been able to continue with reconstructed plans.

On arriving at the church, there were hundreds of visitors both inside and out, walking around and taking photographs. We were facing the facade which is known as 'The Passion' and this is the facade you can see on the photograph here.
There are 3 facades in total : The Passion, The Nativity, and The Glory which is not yet completed.
We decided to walk around the perimeter of the church, taking photographs, and I was amazed by the work and detail which has gone into the two facades you can see. We were given a lot of information from our helpful guide, Teresa.

The Passion facade depicts the the story from the Last Supper and betrayal of Jesus, through to his crucifixion, with four spires rising above which represent four of the apostles.
The Nativity facade is the oldest facade and we learned that this facade is the favourite of many visitors because it was completed before building work was interrupted due to the Civil War in 1936, and it is also the facade which depicts the most Gaudi influence.
I found the detail amazing and very beautiful, and again there are four spires representing another four apostles.
When the Glory facade is completed, it will depict the Resurrection of Christ, and will include another four spires, making twelve in total to represent all the apostles. We were told there will then be a further group of four spires built to represent the four evangelists, and two further spires to represent Mary, mother of Christ, and Jesus Christ himself, making 18 spires in total!

We were told by our guide that various dates have been mentioned for completion of the church, but it is envisaged that the church will be completed by 2026, which will mark 100 years since Gaudi's death. No exact date can be given as the building of the church is funded entirely by charity and from the admission fees to visit the inside of the church.
Also, there are a block of apartments facing the Glory facade which is currently under construction, and our guide explained these have to be knocked down to allow the work to continue, and negotiations are ongoing with people who live in the apartments to agree compensation.

We were shown the crypt, the wall of the apse and facade of the Nativity, which were all parts carried out by Gaudi himself, and the susequent works which have been and are still being carried out by the architects, who were left the task of interpreting the complicated sketches and models which Gaudi left after his death.
The crypt , apse and Nativity begin in a neo gothic style and develop into an ornamental style based on natural and animal forms worked in stone.
What becomes apparent, when we walked from the Nativity facade round to the Passion facade is the differences between the two. Not only in the colour of the stone, which is dark with age on the Nativity facade and lighter on the newer Passion facade, but also differences due to the use of modern techniques and equipment which have been implemented over the years.

It felt to me like it is three buildings combined into one, as it is three very different styles, but somehow it works and fits together, making it probably the most unique building I have ever seen.

There is a small souvenir shop which sells small ornamental replica's of the church, as well as photographs and books, along with the usual bookmarks, fridge magnets, pens etc. I bought a few items and like to think I have contributed a tiny amount to the building of the church!

It really is a beautiful and very striking building, and I would recommend a visit if you are in Barcelona.
Our guide told us that some people have said that the work should be brought to a halt, and the church left as 'Unfinished' as a mark of respect to Gaudi, but most people want to see the church completed. I can see both points of view and I did think when walking around, that maybe it should have been left unfinished, but then the work which has been completed since Gaudi's death is also amazing, and I realised I would like to see what it will look like when it is eventually completed.
]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o759819 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:01:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o744779 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:28:00 +0200
The Sagrada Familia is definitely a place to see, no matter if you're a fan of Gaudi's work or not. It is going to be the most unusual church you have ever seen. According to Gaudi it was supposed to be a church for the poor. Those parts that were added after Gaudis death do not reflect the original Gaudi design and do not really fit to the uniqueness of the old parts, but that's just my opinion.

If you're staying in Barcelona during the week, go then, because on weekends there are millions of tourists there. It's also nice to walk up the avinguda de Gaudi from where you can try to get the whole Sagrada on a picture and enjoy some tapas etc. ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o715997 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:49:00 +0100 It is the unfinished masterpiece from the famous architect Antonio Gaudi and although work started on it in 1882 it remains unfinished and in a country where manana manana is an art form it remains to be seen when it will finally be completed to Gaudi's specifications.

The first time you lay eyes on La Sagrada Familia is an awe inspiring moment and although I am not religious I can honestly say it was breathtaking.
You will probably either come to it by way of metro or the open topped buses but either way the first time you glimpse it you will be impressed as it is absolutely immense and coming out of the escalators the first time you will crane your neck trying to see it all.

The enterance takes a little time to find as it is on the other side to where you come up by metro but just follow the crowds and there will be lot's of them as this is a very popular place to visit.
Expect to queue but surprisingly on my visit this didn't take all that long as the site is so large they can let in everyone and it is just more or less a queue to take the entrance fee. The fee to enter is quite steep at 12 Euros just to enter the church and then an extra 4 for an audio guide and the you have to pay again to be able to enter the lifts that take you to the tops of the towers.

The inside of church is quite plain and a little dissapointing but the real joy here for me anyway is being able to get up close to the facade which is amazing. There are exhibitions on the time line of work and the expected completion which to be honest keeps changing.
Once you have had a wonder around and taken it all in you can then join the queue to take the lift to the towers.
Although again there is a fee for this and the queue took nearly an hour it is definately worth it and I would recommend everyone going up to be able to see the stunning work a little closer than you can from the outside.

Once up in the towers there are walkways and the views over Barcelona are absolutely amazing. You get to see the strange brightly coloured fruit which is part of the decoration up close and this is something I enjoyed immensly. This definately isn't like any other church you have ever seen.
Once you have finished you can then climb the tower back down to the ground. Be warned that the spiral starway down the tower is very steep and also very long and you will need to be both fit and at least a little bit brave doing it.
Once a the bottom my legs were shaking as it took ages to make it down and because it is so steep I needed to keep my legs tense to stop me from stumbling.

Once back at the bottom you can again sit and stare at the facade a little more before going to look round the little museum which is interesting if a little bland.
Once you have done this there is not a lot more to see or do to be honest. You can leave through the gates and have lunch in a one of the restaurants next to the site and enjoy your lunch whilst staring up at it.

At night La Sagrada Familia is lit up and looks even more beautiful and haunting than it does in the day time and trip here just to have a look at it during it's most beautiful is really something you should try to do at least once during your visit to the city.

La Sagrada Familia is already an amazing place to see and visit and I can only imagine how spectacular it will be when complete and I only hope that I am still alive to be able to see it.
Yes it is a little on the expensive side to visit but the money get's plowed straight back into the building work so in a way you are helping to fund the building of this masterpiece. ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/rating-e645789 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:44:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/rating-e644495 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 09:37:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o573505 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:07:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o559901 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:47:00 +0200 Beware if you don't like heights.The winding stairway inside has an open hole down the centre and my wife had to come down after getting stuck halfway up.Not an easy thing to do with people coming up behind.]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o493052 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:17:00 +0100 http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/rating-e129416 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:27:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/barcelona-31965/church--cathedral--monastery/sagrada-familia-9797/review-o16763 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 23:15:00 +0200
His calculations paid off, and he began to design buildings that were different from the norm, that went away from straight lines into the realms of fantasy, encompassing nature, and the elements of nature, so that the Gaudi buildings go hand in hand with the wildlife that surrounds his buildings, and here I can recount something rather strange.

The facade of the Sagrada Familia, which westerners would class as a cathedral, but which is in fact a church, is a carved monument to nature, with little figures, and animals and birds and when I looked at this area of the cathedral and the facade that Gaudi designed, pidgeons and other birds nestled amonst the naturalness of the landscape that Gaudi had created.

On the other side of the Sagrada Familia is the concept of progress, and although it is thought that Gaudi was responsible for the design of the building which continued after his death, I personally cannot believe that the other side of the cathedral bears much ressemblance to what Gaudi as a man created, because it is cold and mass produced and the figures instead of being human became harsh and even warlike, and do not attract one bird !! It is almost as if the creation of Gaudi has soul, whereas the continuation of the Sagrada Familia does not.

Walking around the Sagrada Familia is impeded by scaffold and the continuation of the works which finance allows, and the Sagrada Familia is an ongoing project although Gaudi himself said that it is a little like an oak tree that takes centuries to grow but grows strong, as opposed to reeds which grow quickly and then die.

In the centre of the hustle and bustle of Barcelona this building is worthy of a visit and to me is a reminder that mankind put progress before the natural splendour of the world. Inside we were shown moulds that make the panels for the new side of the church, mass produced and cold, restrained by lack of Gaudi's imagination, and indeed funding.

The older side of the building is alive and vibrant and very beautiful and is a reminder that architecture can be innovative and take account of its surroundings. You cannot help but be drawn in by the magnificance and beauty of the old side of the Sagrada Familia and it is certainly one of the most important buildings in Barcelona, and even if you are passing through, if you pass without seeing the evolution of this architecture, you have indeed wasted an opportunity to see a very outstanding piece of architectural history.

A taxi from the centre of Barcelona to the Segrada Familia will cost less that ten euros, entrance is relatively cheap at three euros fifty, and you can take the lifts up high into the towers at both the new and old end, and see how these towers were constructed, although here the old wins hands down over the new.

There is a tourist shop with a lot of good quality books on Gaudi as well as the usual tourist tack and there is limited access for handicapped people, although to me, the beauty of the Segrada Familia is external and anyone, even handicapped, can see this from the outside without paying.

This was a wonderful day, although one that made me think about how harsh and cold humanity prefers to be nowadays, although the soul of Gaudi will always be kept alive because of the heritage he left behind him.]]>