Travel and discover

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, making a trip more special by the interior of the Sagrada Familia that visitors can not accompanied by the architects of the temple.

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is a work that began in 1882 and still ongoing. The original design of the Sagrada Familia is the great modernist architect Gaudí, but has had different architects to throughout this century such as Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluis Gari and currently Boner Jordi Bonet Armengol, in addition to sculptors Etsuro Sotoo as Japanese (which ended the statues on the facade of the Nativity) and now also Josep Subirachs (which you’ll see a spectacular Sant Jordi inside the temple and the entire facade of the Resurrection) who have made the temple architectural qualities possesses very uneven. For example Subirachs created the door of the resurrection that is what has created more controversy.

The construction of the Sagrada Familia is an initiative of the Association of Spiritual Devots Sant Josep, founded by Josep Maria Bocabella, who promoted the idea of building a temple for the exaltation of Sant Josep and the Sagrada Familia, as symbols stability and family policy as a basis of society.

The first project was done by Francesc de Paula Villar who started work on a gothic air temple, but a little later, in 1884, Gaudí took charge of directing the work already initiated a review of the project. Antoni Gaudí from that time was devoted to this work until the day of his death.

Com project review, Antoni Gaudí increased the size provided planning a church with five naves with transept and apse and ambulatory exetior. Likewise, had to have 18 large parabolic towers that symbolize the 12 apostles, four evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, who should be the highest tower.

Gaudí’s first intervention was to end the crypt initiated by Villar. Subsequently, between 1884 and 1893 built the absis, which, although still retained echoes neo-Gothic, incorporated and naturalistic ornamientación. Shortly thereafter to monitor the construction work, he moved his residence to the temple.

Gaudí had planned to build three walls or gates, each formed by groups of four towers (the 12 dedicated to the apostles) but, due to his premature death, could only has to be concluded first, that of Naixement, built between 1891 and 1900 . This facade is accentuated and overwhelming naturalism, symbolism and so typical of ornamental Gaudi’s work. Between the towers there are three gates dedicated to Faith, Hope and Charity.

Between 1903 and 1926, Gaudí’s death, this was commissioned to build the four towers of the facade of Naixement, with a height over 100 meters and topped with polychrome mosaics, and the parish covers obituaries paraboidales elements.

After Gaudí’s death (they were built the crypt, apse and virtually all the facade of Naixement) continued to work according to your specifications. Gaudí, by not carrying out all plans and projections in detail, and he liked to improvise constantly consolidated twenty years ago two types of architectural and cultural currents in the city very well defined: one that maintains that the monument should remain unfinished for not to undermine the work of Gaudí, and another that says that just as the cathedrals of the Middle Ages must be completed in its entirety, adapt its different architectural styles at the time of its construction.

La Sagrada Familia, which has become one of the icons of Barcleona and internationally recognized, will be complicated since finished third front should pull a whole row of houses on the street in Barcelona Mallorca.

In the crypt of the facade of the Passion is the Museu de la Sagrada Familia where the history of the temple construction and other works of Antoni Gaudí serving all of you an example of building the Sagrada Familia. There can also be found sketches of how the Holy Family will be at the end of its construction, but as the design architects of the temple is expected to suffer small changes to suit the needs of engineers who are building today. According to recent estimates by 2017 the Holy Family could be completed, and in June 2010 will be a first mass.

There are currently works for the City of Barcelona has decided that the AVE high speed train, go under the Sagrada Familia jeopardizing the entire structure with the vibrations of the works and trains.

Persol the Sagrada Familia is one of the most spectacular buildings I’ve ever visited, making clear that Gaudi was a genius that allows visitors to walk through a forest of stone that does not leave anyone indifferent! We hope to visit again and continue the Sagrada Familia’ll discover its corners!

Getting to the Sagrada Familia and what it costs to visit

The Sagrada Familia is located between the streets and Provence to Mallorca Marina and Sardenya streets. The subway stop is Sagrada Familia of blue and purple lines.

The price of tickets worth the Sagrada Familia normal entry € 12 or € 10 entry student, retired or less than 18 years. If you want to buy a pack of tickets to the Sagrada Familia and the Casa Museu Gaudí (Park Güell in) is worth € 14 and if you want the audio tour or enjoy a guided tour € 16. We must remember that the proceeds of tickets will be used to continue building the temple.