Got up early and took the subway to Gaudi’s masterpiece cathedral La Sagrada Familia The most visited place in Spain. They say 3 million come annually. It felt like more today. Had a quick breakfast across the street and showed up at the front gate just before nine only to be told that all today’s tickets were sold out and to go on line and get one for tomorrow!! Oh well so much for no planning. Tried to do it on line until I saw a tourist information booth across the street staffed by beautiful young ladies with great smiles. I went to ask if I could book tickets and they told me maybe for 3 o’clock. But suddenly one of them notices a cancellation for 9:30! I took it with glee -it was 9:15. Went through the cattle stalls and up the steps to the landing at the entry to admire all the elaborate stone work vowing not to take photos but to spend time looking.
First of the selfies I swore I wouldn’t take!
After a while I entered and if the outside wasn’t spectacular enough the interior, bathed in veils of cool and warm light from the stained glass windows, took my breath away! Gaudi made the stone feel organic and the columns supporting the ceiling way above looked like tree trunks.
I quickly found a place to lean against so I didn’t get vertigo and just tried to take it all in. I’ve been in plenty of spectacular cathedrals, including Notre Dame last spring, but this one was the winner.
Breathtaking space, fabulous light from the stained glass windows.
After I had looked and looked I finally gave in and took some video and selfies. No matter which direction you looked it just begs you to take a picture.
I spent about 2 hours just walking around and finding places to sit and just look. There is not a bad spot in the place inside or out to pause, sit and look and take photos. I did plenty of all three. There were exhibits beneath the cathedral about the architect, the design and copious models large and small of the building. It’s still pretty much a construction site surround by fenced off areas, cranes and construction crews busy making lots of noise and presumably working towards a promised 2020-2025 completion date. They’ve been working since 1882 so I wouldn’t hold them to that date. Based on what I saw of the models its about 60% completed with the tallest tower barely started and yet what is done is spectacular. The earliest work done in Gaudi’s time is a little dark and weathered with dirt and grime. The newest work is pristine and looks as if it was completed yesterday. The place had quite a few people when I got in but as it approached noon it became so packed that in certain places it was very hard to move. I found places to sit an lean outside and enjoyed the views but eventually it got to be too much and I found an exit.
And this they said was NOT a busy day. 3 million people visit this cathedral each year.
I walked around the site and observed all sides eventually getting a coffee and a great table just inside in the shade. The people watch was also great including a bigger who kept greeting people with a great hello. Just then a woman walked up to him and gave him lunch from the McDonalds next door. He accepted but first offered to share it with those of us in the coffee shop. I declined but the whole moment was very sweet.
Quite different from the opposite facade.
I sat there and looked for at least another hour and even said a little drawing of a lizard that was one of many carved onto the facade of the church. Not much of a drawing but at least its a start!
Recent Comments