La Sagrada Familia is the most ethereal, spiritual place I have ever experienced. Never before has a church made me feel like I did in the Sagrada Familia. Perhaps it was because the temple is more modern than any other large church I've experienced, yet still utilizes many of the gothic elements that bring your gaze skyward. Perhaps it is because there is so much light and hope and joy in the design. Whatever it is, this masterpiece of design and spirituality took my breath away.
My photographs hardly do the exprience justice as thumbnails. Double click on the photos and they will open full size in a new window in your browser. Better yet, visit the temple yourself.
There are to be three façades to La Sagrada Familia: Nativity, Passion, and Glory. This one depicts the Passion. The sculpture was designed by an incredible artist, Josep Maria Subirachs during the 1990s.
The temple was blessed by the Pope and declared a Basilica in November 2010 (the interior having been finished in 2009). Of all the works I learned about in Art History, this is the one masterpiece still in progress. The exterior is set to be finished by 2025.
Chapels surrounding the apse. The glass is only tinted in this area, and while most churches depict scenes and represent biblical stories, these abstract splashes of color were designed to conjur principles and teachings of Christ. Emily noticed the fish eyes in one chapel and quoted, "Follow me, I will make you fishers of men."
The Apse. The white light at the top is a skylight, brining your eyes straight up to heaven.
The use of different stones provides depth and softness to an otherwise cold material. In this image you get a taste of how massive the interior is and how far the apse reaches.
The plain glass windows in the nave combined with the light colored stone make the interior of this temple a joyful place, rather than the dark dank interiors of most large churches.
The artistry of the organ is downplayed, but the reflections of the stained glass are spectacular.
Reflection on plain glass window looking out toward the Passion façade.
This façade depicts the Nativity. It celebrates the life and joy of Christ. Much of the decoration is inspired by nature and the joy that Christ brought. I remember thinking this was hideous in Art History and that I had no intrest in visiting this particular church. Upon closer inspection, it is interesting, but not my favorite part of the temple. I like the theme of this façade, but prefer the design of the Passion. The Glory façade began construction in 2002.
Close-up of the façade.
Gaudí developed this method of string and weights to utilize the powerful elements of hyperbolas. His use of geometry in the design of the interior is overwhelming.
The museum in the crypt beneath the temple explains the tragedies and triumphs of the Sagrada Familia in detail. Antoni Gaudí was in no hurry to finish the temple, stating that his benefactor was in no hurry. However, on the way to work one morning he was hit by a tram. Because of his ragged attire no cabs would take him to the hospital. He was taken to a poor hospital where his friends eventually found him the next day. When they offered to take him to a better hospital he replied, "I belong here among the poor." He died shortly after at the age of 73.
During the Spanish Civil War, just 10 years after Gaudí's death, angry civil war fighters set fire to his workshop. They destroyed many of his maquettes, drawings, and plans. After spending time in the interior and witnessing the genius, beauty, and dedication first hand, these tragic stories nearly brought me to tears.
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