Sagrada Familia is Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece. Even surrounded by cranes it is magnificent.
Construction began in 1882 and Gaudi took over the project a year later. It is a mixture of Gothic and Art Nouveau design. Gaudi devoted his last years to the church. When he died in 1926 less than a quarter of the building was completed.
The outside of the building is a bit of a mixture of designs, some I like more than others.
As fabulous as the outside is, I think it is the interior that is the real star. You could seriously develop a neck problem if you spent too much time in the church. Perhaps they need to provide flat beds so you don’t get a crick in your neck from looking up.
We booked online to get a time to enter the building, which was a great idea. We also booked a time to take the evelator to the top of one of the towers. We then walked across the top of the church and down the spiral staircase, stopping along the way to admire the view and bits of the church.
This is looking down the spiral staircase.
…and this is looking up.
Work continues on Sagrada Familia and it is hoped it will be completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
Don’t miss the Sagrada Familia and do book ahead…be prepared for big crowds.
Fab pics truly the ultimate church
By: Francis on June 6, 2015
at 12:19 pm
It is breathtaking, especially the interior.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 6, 2015
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Amazingly unique isn’t it. One of the many highlights in Barcelona.
By: Kerry & Jim on June 6, 2015
at 12:38 pm
Barcelona is stunning. The Gaudi buildings alone can keep you busy for days.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 6, 2015
at 12:52 pm
Great photos Debra- agree that the true masterpiece is the inside! One of the most amazing buildings we have ever visited!
By: Pauline on June 6, 2015
at 12:39 pm
It is an incredible building. The detail of both outside and inside is mind boggling.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 6, 2015
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Hi Debra, Fabulous wonderful unique amazing and out of this world – there aren’t enough adjectives to describe it. We only saw the outside and were blown away. Think I’ll have to go back and see the inside. Thanks for the stunning photographs.
Cheers
Robyn
By: italia4ever on June 6, 2015
at 12:48 pm
You must go back to see the interior, it is amazing.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 6, 2015
at 12:54 pm
It is a fabulous building which conveys Gaudi’s deep faith and spirituality. And your photos are superb, Debra!
By: Mulino Dominillo on June 6, 2015
at 1:29 pm
It is absolutely incredible. Photos don’t really convey the size and magnificence, I think you have to be there.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 6, 2015
at 2:18 pm
This has been on my bucket list for years. What an inspiration in design and spirit.
By: Leslie Haws on June 6, 2015
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We have been twice and I hope to return to see the progress.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 6, 2015
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Magnificient!
By: Wendy Bradford on June 6, 2015
at 9:10 pm
It is an amazing experience to be inside the building.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2015
at 8:13 pm
The interior is, as you say, completely breathtaking. The outside is quite extraordinary – extraordinary in its conception let alone its construction, but parts of it did make me think of that song which I think is called MacArthur’s Park – about someone having left the icing in the rain! Whatever, I really want to experience that building.
By: Jan on June 7, 2015
at 12:22 am
We have been twice, it is incredible. We will return.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2015
at 8:13 pm
Most of us know the place . . . but may I most sincerely compliment you on and say ‘thank you’ for those unreal photos which take us where most other visitors have not . . . still scrolling back and forth!!
By: Eha on June 7, 2015
at 4:47 am
You could sit in there for days taking it all in.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2015
at 8:14 pm
Miraculous!
By: janinevasta on June 7, 2015
at 2:33 pm
Good description.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2015
at 8:14 pm
Interestingly, I’ve never seen pics of the inside. Equally unique. I get the impression you recommend the trip to the tower.
By: aFrankAngle on June 8, 2015
at 11:48 am
I definitely recommend the tower. The steps down are a bit scary, but excellent.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2015
at 8:15 pm
I assume steep.
By: aFrankAngle on June 13, 2015
at 11:35 am
They are steep and narrow, but you can hang on to the side wall.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 13, 2015
at 1:37 pm
Wow these are some amazing pictures Debra! Love all the different angles you captured.
By: thirdeyemom on June 8, 2015
at 6:50 pm
It is a stunning building.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2015
at 8:15 pm
The last time I looked at the Sagrada Familia was back in 1992 – there was no roof then and no queues. I’m not sure if we were even charged to walk up to the top of the older towers. My girlfriend and I sat at the top, smoked a joint and watched the sunset, which was spectacular, but walking down the staircase (in your pictures) in the dark was quite an adventure!
By: Mad Dog on June 12, 2015
at 5:28 pm
That staircase is still difficult. Light comes in through the windows and your eyes adjust to that, then it becomes dark again and you really have to think about where to put your feet.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 12, 2015
at 8:17 pm
Back then there were no lights on the stairs and we were walking down after sunset 😉
By: Mad Dog on June 12, 2015
at 8:38 pm
That building is just beyond belief. Thanks for photographic proof! The looking-up shots of the interior give me the feeling of being inside some amazing, live sea creature. I somehow doubt that’s what Gaudi was going for, but who knows?
By: sheilasunshine on June 13, 2015
at 7:03 am
[…] should go to Barcelona at least once. It is worth a visit for Gaudi alone…but don’t miss the great food at the Boqueria […]
By: A year of travel | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 26, 2015
at 1:19 pm