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<\/a>Sagrada Familia Church<\/p><\/div>\n
We have a timed entry into the Sagrada Familia today at 1030. It is crazy that all these places have to be booked months ahead or you most likely will not get in. That has been the norm for major sights such as this, the Alhambra, the Alcazar, etc. We like to get to our places early so we do not have the stress of finding the correct entrance and line under a time constraint.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Gaudi Inspired Spires<\/p><\/div>\n
We arrive at the Sagrada at 0930. The metro stop brought us out right at the cathedral. We take a few pictures of the side we are on and then find the signs which lead us to the entrance for those with tickets. Show the tickets to make sure this is the right place and the guard says to come back at 1000, so it looks like we can get in a wee bit early. We take the time to read about the exterior and walk a few blocks around the exterior.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Nativity Facade<\/p><\/div>\n
We start where we are which is the Nativity Facade, the oldest part, was the only piece completed before Gaudi died. There are four 330 foot tall spires, but the church will have 18 spires when it is done. There will be four at each of three entrances. Four taller towers dedicated to the four evangelists will be higher still and a tower dedicated to Mary will be above those at 400 feet tall. In the center will be the 560 foot tall Jesus tower, topped with a cross that when lit will be visible from the sea.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Close Up<\/p><\/div>\n
The Nativity Facade is only a side entrance, the main entrance we see as we walk around the block is not complete and will require demolishing a apartment building which based on signs hanging from balconies, the residents are not too happy about. The three facades, Nativity, Passion, and the main Glory chronicle Christ’s life from birth to death to resurrection. Rounding the corner, the Passion Facade is totally different from the Nativity. The spires were completed closely following Gaudi’s design and the rib looking archways are also close. More on the rest later.<\/p>\n
<\/a>CNC Nativity Tower<\/p><\/div>\n
We return to the entrance and get in as told at 1000. We pick up our audioguide and listen to the first two stops. We then go inside to take the elevator up the Nativity Tower ( also a timed event) and get a birds eye view of this part of the church. We also get to walk the 300 foot descent. There are a few stopping points along the way. Tower visit complete, we learn more about the sculptured statues on the Nativity Facade before entering the church.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Can Hold 8,000<\/p><\/div>\n
For the number crunchers, the church is in the typical floor plan of a Latin cross. It is 300 feet long, 200 feet wide, and will be over 48,000 square feet, able to accommodate 8,000 worshippers. The roof and flooring were only completed in 2010 and that is when the Pope consecrated the church. That is also over a hundred years from the buildings start.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Tree Like<\/p><\/div>\n
There are 56 unique columns in that Gaudi’s design makes them seem like trees in a forest. The columns are different colors based on the material needed to support the weight above. Brown clay, grey granite, dark grey basalt and then four red porphyry columns which will support the Jesus tower. <\/p>\n
<\/a>St Mark<\/p><\/div>\n
The four evangelists symbol and Catalan name are on these columns. There is also a U shaped choir above which can seat 1,000 singers. Let’s not forget to mention the beautiful stained glass and the lighting which adds to the unique feel of a church like no other. The bluer hues are on the sunrise side and warmer hues on the sunset side. The tomb of Gaudi is located here in the crypt. We visit the Sacristy, also unique, and then go outside for a close up view of the Passion Facade.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Magic Box<\/p><\/div>\n
The sculptures here were done by Josep Subirachs, who completed the work in 2005. Some did not like it, thinking it was not in Gaudis style. I find his work very interesting. Next to the scene portraying the kiss of Judas is a magic box in which all rows add to 33, the number of years of Christs life.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Early Timeline<\/p><\/div>\n
We finish our visit through the church museum which shows the timeline of the church, plaster models from Gaudi and current builders. The hope is to complete the church in 2026, which would be the 100 year anniversary of his death. How did he die? Not old age, he died while trying to take a picture of a building. Doing so in the middle of the street, he was ran over by a trolley car. You just never know. The church is so unlike anything, it is really beautiful and fascinating. We are done with our visit but would love to return when it is finished just to see the completed project from the outside.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Fideos<\/p><\/div>\n
Speaking of outside, it is not too bad out, so lunch seems in order and we see that a place on our list does not seem too far. Walking there seems very feasible other than when we get close the street names are not on the map so we may have to do a grid search. Once away from the church, there are no tourist mobs and we hit a local part of town. I think we should start at a cross street we see a block away and then look for the street name the restaurant is on. Luck is on our side as the cross street turns out to be the one we are looking for.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Pork<\/p><\/div>\n
One block later, we enter Cal Boter, a small place with not a tourist in sight. A waiter comes up, hands us menus of the day, realizes we probably do not speak Spanish, and finds another waiter. He does his best (actually very well) to explain the menu options. He gets stuck on one part of something, leaves and comes back with a bowl of peas, so we tell him they are called peas. A very nice young man. We order Fideos as our starter, pork and cod as our mains, and house wine to drink. It is all included in one price.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Empty Wine Bottle<\/p><\/div>\n
They bring about a liter of wine in a very interesting wine bottle container. I have fun pouring until he comes over and says to pour it from the other side, the side I am using is to pour directly into your mouth. I don’t care, I was enjoying myself. Everything we have is really good. One thing about Spain is they know how to cook pork. Every pork dish we have had has been excellent.<\/p>\n