This magnificent building was the vision of legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. Begun in 1892, La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family) has been more or less under continuous construction for well over a century, and is still not expected to be completed until at least 2017. Although there were several delays due to war and the loss of the original blueprints, the majority of the holdup is due to the fact that the entirety of the construction of this cathedral is founded purely on donations from the public. And with the grandiosity of the structure, both in size and design, limited funding has equaled a delayed finish line. Despite these delays, or perhaps because of them, La Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited and photographed sites in Barcelona, Spain. Undeniably, the astounding beauty and extremely unique style have significantly contributed to the over two million guests that visit and pray every year. With a clear Gothic influence, there are myriad other architectural styles and flourishes to be seen that delight and astound even the most jaded traveler.
Both inside and out, La Sagrada Familia is replete with Christian symbols and images. Well, it’s a church, so of course there would be Christian symbolism. Gaudí took this to a “whole ‘nother level”. Every inch of the structure is covered by saints, biblical stories, images of the Holy Family, and various items and additions representing all of the above. The numerous towers (there are eight now and there will eventually be 18 total) are meant to signify Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Apostles, and the Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Even the layout of the cathedral is meant to evoke the image of the cross. Some of the more literal representations include facades that detail the life of Christ, the Rose Tree Door dedicated to the Virgin Mother, and the stained glass windows which depict varied pieces of Catholic belief.
All admission fees are applied to furthering the construction efforts of La Sagrada Familia and range in price from around $12.00 to $20.00 depending on age, status, and use of guided assistance, to get the latest prices visit their official webisite. To tour the towers a $3.00 elevator ticket is required, but this nominal charge is well worth the views you will get from the top. The guided tours available in Spanish, Catalan, and English last about an hour and are extremely informative, going into great detail about the history and the mystery of this fantastic cathedral. Open year round, visitation starts at 9:00 am and goes into early evening depending on the month of your trip. Be sure to make time to check out the museum which has some exciting artifacts that only serve to further your fascination with the building. Among the best times to visit is Christmas time, specifically Christmas Day. The mass and accompanying concert are simply awe inspiring. There are few more beautiful and intriguing places on Earth than La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Come see the brilliant transformation as builders realize the century old vision of an ambitious dreamer.
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