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| Catedral de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona - construction cranes still working |
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| Stark and austere stone sculpture of Crucifixion of Christ |
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| Airy interior of Cathedral with the golden Eye of God above All |
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| Varieties of shapes, forms, colours.... |
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| Detail of interior of a dome |
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| Main Aspe of Cathedral |
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| Soft colours of upper ceilings |
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| Leaded WIndow colours reflected in Organ Pipes |
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| Burst of colours in leaded windows |
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| Herodus Soldier's killing a newborn child |
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| Shepherds adoring the Child, notice the dog |
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| Nativity scene |
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| Here he is, Fido! |
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| Judas and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane - note macig square beside them |
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| Opposite view of Cathedral, note lofty arches of Portal |
Antonio Gaudi
Antonio Gaudi lived more than a century ago, but he definitely was a man ahead of his time. He was even known to use recycled materials in his architectural creations. Barcelona has many examples of his work, such as La Pedrera, Parc Guell, Battlo, Hospital of Saint Paul and several more.
His Catedral de la Sagrada Familia is his most recognized work. Gaudi did not intend it to be a church, however over time it turned into one of his many obsessions. He worked, ate, slept almost exclusively in and for this structure during the last eight years of his life. He had started it in 1882, but it was far from finished when he died in 1926. He is buried in the cathedral.
It is still incomplete, and construction is expected to last for another 30 years before it will be. However, it is consecrated, and it is Barcelona's most cherished pride.
As is his signature method, his design combine stone, iron, ceramics, glass and metal in the most irreverent fashion. For instance, what seems like pine apples, tops spires. Instead of saints, snakes, frogs and snails adorn cathedral walls. A giant stone Christmas tree replete with red stone ribbon adorns the 'Nativity' side of the cathedral above carved Roman soldiers slaying infants, Three Kings bringing gifts, a Nativity scene and shepherds and a couple of pet dogs - all populating willy-nilly crazily adorned cathedral walls.
The scenes of Calvary on the other hand appear to be originate a different artist altogether, they are stark, simple and incorporate mystical symbols and motifs.
The interior is a cacophony of multihued light entering through abstractly coloured leaded windows. Slender columns seem to defy gravity, spiral staircases look like cork screws, and capstones appear like golden feathered stars and triangles. Not a single shape seems repetitively tranquil, but an ever changing variety of forms, colours, structure and texture make up the interior lofty reaches. Somehow is fills reverent and deeply religious (which Gaudi was as well), inspiring and airy despite this almost shocking combination of almost surrealistic elements.
One may take a quick photo tour (after waiting patiently in a long line up to be admitted to the interior) and leave the building after a short visit, however, it's unusual beauty reveals itself only after a while, when ever new surprises literally emerge from the stonework.
It is gratifying to see, that Spain (Barcelona) continues completion work, despite austerity programs and severe economic crisis. It is quite a monument to human spirit, imagination, artistry and ingenuity.
