La Sagrada Familia Pictures

This is actually the first time I have been inside the Sagrada Familia Church. The last time I was here I was only outside, turned off by the long queue of tourists. This time however, I joined in with everybody =)

Dutchman said that the church being under construction for more than a 100 years adds up to its endearing charm.

Magnum Opus: La Sagrada Familia
Website: Sagrada Familia

The church is an awesome piece of architecture, it is one of its kind. Due to its geometrical patterns it looks somewhat futuristic yet there is a nature inspiration braided around it as Gaudi is often inspired by trees, bushes and roots. That explains his somewhat scruffy and earthy style of design. People call him the Dante of architecture, and rightly so I think. Just look at his magnum opus, the Sagrada Familia and I think of Dante’s Inferno piece. Quite paradoxical, it is a church but it makes me think of hell.

Being inside the Sagrada Familia Church reminded me in a way of my visit to the Salvador Dali’s Theater Museum. It is amazing, you stand there in awe at the large tree-like pillars, the huge nave with interlocked vaults they call hyperboloid, those stunning stained glass, the patterns used everywhere and at the same time it makes you think why the architect designed the building this way.

The church is also somewhat cursed. Cursed in such a way that it has been under construction for more than a 100 years already. It started construction in 1882 and is supposed to be slated for completion in 2027.

Do you know of a building in this day under construction for this long? Dutchman would like to believe that the unfinished and neverending construction is part of the charisma of the Sagrada Familia. Do you think the same as well?

By the way, I went up to the tower, see here the pictures: Sagrada Familia Tower and Views of Barcelona

Trivia: Did you know that Gaudi remained single until his death? They say he was not a very social man, but people close to him say he is very pleasant.

This is a cool sculpture of phrases, words and letters.

Because the interior of the church is lighted with natural light beaming through holes and cracks, and because my point-and-click camera cannot handle this well, my interior pictures are really not that great.

Gaudi is into the stained glass and this is one of the pretty ones in the church.

When I look up at the ceiling designed with the hyperboloid vault, it reminds me of a forest.

And that figure in the middle reminds me of Batman, haha.

The altar of the church.

A dizzying work of art if you are to ask me. This reminds me of the castles in Sintra, Portugal.

The crypt. I am not sure if Gaudi was buried here though, I mean if this was the right crypt. Maybe it is.

A very interesting Altar Cross with a hanging beach umbrella attached with dangling lights. You’d think Jesus was like Mary Poppins gone circus mode.

I used to be religious, some 20 years ago. It has been a long ride since I left religion, but it does not mean I do not appreciate it anymore. If not for the culture it has brought to humanity.