LA SAGRADA FAMILIA - GAUDI'S EMBLEMATIC CHURCH BARCELONA SPAIN
WOW is the first thing that pops into your head when you first lay eyes on the La Sagrada Familia Church. Actually WOW is an understatement.
Started in 1883 by Antonio Gaudi, the La Sagrada Famila is still under construction after 133 years. In 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica (Catholic Church.) It is a heavily visited UNESCO World Heritage Site and destined to be one of the top attractions in the world.
Gaudi passed away in 1926 after being struck by a tram at the age of 73. Construction continued and Gaudi's original designs are still being followed to this day. Gaudi's use of light reflections, curves, lines and geometric designs are used to build his life long work. His combination of modernism, geometric architecture and awe inspiring construction techniques make his work unique throughout the world.
Gaudi payed particular attention to nature and natures natural designs. The ceilings resemble the underside of a tree canopy, the pillars resemble the tree. Different marbles are used to represent different color and types of trees. Windows, vaulted ceilings, ornate doors and so much more are all influenced by geometric shapes, apse's, hyperboloid, helix's, crystals and optical designs. Gaudi designed like nature designed, with a curved line. He wanted to replicate the forest, a bee's honeycomb and the curvature of a leaf are examples that come to mind.
Gaudi's work is thought to be completed by 2026 - the 100 year anniversary of his death. However - the decorative parts will not be completed until 2030-2032. All this is funded by private donation and the visitor entrance fees.
One picture I would like to point out is the picture of an hall with rainbow colors coming from the window into the hall. I used no filters or color correction - what you see is the genius of Gaudi placing windows and colored glass in a way to reflect the light naturally into the church. Beth
If interested - you can find more information at the following links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia
http://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/antoni-gaudi/
