Gaudi’s Unfinished Cathedral
Antoni Gaudi (1852 – 1926) was a brilliant architect whose unusual works helped establish Barcelona as the center of the Modernista architectural movement. Gaudi’s works even today are famous worldwide. But his dreams were only partly realized. Although he designed many fantastic buildings in this city, he died before he completed his most famous project, La Sagrada Familia, because he was hit by a tram. (I just can’t get over how odd that seems.)
Before we left on this trip, we spent a wonderful evening with our good friend Dave who lived in Spain for two years. He told us about many things to see, but he was emphatic that we see some of Gaudi’s works, particularly the unfinished La Sagrada Familia, “holy family” cathedral. So today, day two of our Barcelona respite, was set aside to do just that. Tomorrow we will start our motorcycling through the Pyrenees.
Indeed it was obvious after seeing these amazing buildings why Gaudi put Barcelona on the architectural world map. We saw the apartment building La Pedrera, “stone quarry” in Spanish. Also Casa Batllo, and finally La Sagrada Familia, which was spectacular. Here Gaudi put many of the techniques he had learned throughout his life into practice. Influenced greatly by nature, Gaudi incorporates rather fantastic floral and plant life imagery, mosaics and brightly colored tiles, and flowing lines into all his designs.
La Sagrada Familia brings it all together in an unforgettable way. After touring the building, I walked away impressed by many things: — it is nearly 56 stories tall (558 feet); — it features the entire passion of Christ in sculpture throughout the building; — there is a mysterious cryptogram on an outside wall; — the lineage of Christ is carved in wood on several of the main entry doors; — Gaudi spent the last 43 years of his life working on the building; and — private funding allows the work to continue today. It is hoped the cathedral will be completed by 2026 in time for the 100-year anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
There are several good websites to visit to learn more about Gaudi and his works.
