I came here on school art trip, where we were given the task of studying the work of, Picasso, Miro, Dali and Gaudi. Gaudi's work can be found dotted all around Barcelona. On rooftops, in Parc Guell and probably most famously at the Sagrada Familia. There are several elements that Gaudi used in creating his..... I don't know quite what to call them....lets say architectural designs, these were: light and colour, style and technique and structure and form. Although the structure and form are obviously vital in a peice of architecture, however, the most important features in Gaudi's desgins were the use of light and colour, more importantly light. Light is used as if it were another element of the building - 'is a divine reflection that reflects the beauty
of the World. It is the deconstruction of light into colours that gives life to objects' and this was what Gaudi wanted to give to his buildings.
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia or the Sagrada Familia is one of Europe's most unconventional churches and is often seen as an emblem of Barcelona. Designed by Gaudi and work officially started on it's construction in 1882 (by Francisco de Paula del Vilar) . Gaudi took over, it's construction after 1914 and he became dedicated to it. Unfortuanely Gaudi died before it could be completed, in fact it is stilla work in progress, and although the initial plans have been scaled down, there is still a central tower, which will be encircled by 4 large towers and another 4 towers on the Glory Facade, which will match the existing Passion (West) and Nativity (East) Facades.
There are 3 main features to the cathedral are: the Nativity Facade, the Passion Facade and the Crypt. The Passion Facade is the most complete partof Gaudi's church. The Passion facade was completed by the late '80's by Josep Maria Subirachs. It is a more angular, less Baroque Gaudi-esqe style about it, and has been controversial. The final area, the Crypt, built by Francisco de Paula del Vilar, is where Gaudi is buried and where services are held.
When you go to see the cathedral, as well as walking around it, there is the opportunity to go up one of the towers, to (near enough the top) whereit 'looks as though the Earth joins with the heavens'. I think you can walk up if you really want to....but i wouldn't advise it, 400 stone steps is quite a challenge. So for a small fee you can take the lift up (and down if you want). At the top you rewarded with some rather spectacular views. As well as the fact that you get to see the details featured on the towers close up, it is only then you realise how intricate the entire building is....coloured mosaics, the use of wine bottles etc. I decided to walk back down to the ground, and i hasten to add, that i'm not scared of heights, but after I got to the bottom my knees refused to stop shaking - quite a surreal experience. Parts of the building are obviously still a building site, but I found it quite interesting to see it as a work in progress as such.
I did enjoy seeing this, but I can't help thinking its a bit of a tourist trap and that you'd never get to appreciate it properly as there are people milling round everywhere all the time. When I went it November it was really busy, so I dread to think what it might be like peak season. I think it also requires more than one visit really. There are so many little details that you don't notice that all come together to form the (albeit in complete) cathedral and I reckon you might appreciate it more if you took the time to study them. The only thing that I really didn't like was the fact that they have put the gift shop inside the cathedral - yes you can pick up the usual, postcards and keyrings, ornaments and a few interesting books (make sure they are translated - unless you can read Spanish that is), but I think it would have been more appropriate to have it on a different site.
It has easy access by the metro, which is even easier to use than the underground, and was at the time far less crowded.
It will be a fantasic building when it is eventually finished, but that could be a long time away. I will definitely go and see this at some point again in the future, evenif it is only to see the progress that has been made!!
'The work on the Sagrada Familia is slow because the Masterof work is in no hurry.'
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It's a beautiful building, to be sure. I decided to be manly and walk up and down. Never again. Sheesh, but it's a scary thing to be in sometimes. Nice gargoyles, mind.
getscenic 02.08.2006 23:59
Good review, sounds worth a visit
bluejules 01.08.2006 10:03
I went to Barcelona a few years ago. Great reviwe, Jules x
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Jul 28th, 2006
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