The Segrada Familia is Antoni Gaudi's most famous and awe-inspiring work. The church is not only an icon of Barcelona and its trademark Modernista style, but also a symbol of this period's greatest practitioner. As an architect, Gaudi's foundations were classics, nature and religion. The church represents all three.
Nearly a centruy after his death people continue to bring Gaudi's designs to life. The progress of this remarkable building is a testament to the generations of architects, sculptors, and stonecutters, fundraisers and donors who've been caught up in the audacity of Gaudi's astonishing vision.
For over 130 years, Barcelona has labored to bring this church to reality. The present architect has been at this job since 1985. The work is exclusively funded by private donations and entry fees. In recent years thanks to the 1992 Oympics in Barcelona an average of 50 million Euro's is raised each year through admission fees which has helped to speed up construction of the church.
Gaudi wanted to see part of what he visualized and so when construction began on the cathedral the Nativity facade was completed with its spires. For years that was all that existed. The wall opposite that was completed next. Up until 2010 there was only dirt on the floor. Now with the added money coming in from admission fees and computer technology the pace of construction has brengreatly accelerated. In 2010 Pope Benedict XVI dedicated the church as a basilica. It is estimated that the church should be finished by 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.
The main challenges today are : Ensure that construction can withstand the vibrations caused by speedy AVE trains rumbling underfoot, construct the tallest church spire ever built, and find a way to buy out the people who own the condo's in front of the planned Glory Facade so that Gaudi's vision of a grand esplanade approaching the church can be realized. (A mayor who didn't think the dream would become a reality sold the land which is to be the grand esplanade.)
The four 330 foot spires topped with crosses are just a fraction of this mega-church. When finished the church will have 18 spires. Four will stand at each of the three entrances - representing the 12 disciples. Rising above those will be four taller towers, dedicated to the four Evangelists. A tower dedicated to Mary will rise still higher - 400 feet. And in the very center of the complex will stand the grand 560 foot Jesus tower, topped with a cross that will shine like a spiritual lighthouse, visible even from out at sea. This spire will be the tallest church steeple in the world, though still a few feet shorter than the city's highest point at the summit of Montjuic hill, as Gaudi believe that a creation of man should not attempt to eclipse the creation of God.
The Nativity facade. This was finished in Gaurdi's lifetime and shows the birth of Christ. A statue above the doorway shows Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus in the manager, while curious cows peek in. It's the Holy Family - or "Sagrada Familia- for whom this church is dedicated. The four spires are dedicated to apostles, and they repeatedly bear the word "Sanctus," or holy. Their colorful ceramic caps symbolize the miters ( formal hats) of bishops. The shorter spire symbolize the Eucharist, alternating between a chalice with grapes and a communion host with wheat.
The Passion Facade. The Passsion Facade's four spires were designed by Gaudi and completed in 1975. The lower part however was only inspired by Guadi's designs. The stark sculptures were interpreted freely by Josep Maria Subirachs, who completed the work in 2005.
Subirachs tells the story of Christ's torture and execution. The various scenes - The Last supper, betrayal, whipping zigzag from bottom to top culminating in Christ's crucifixioin over the doorway. The style is severe and unadorned, quite different from Gaudi's signature playfulness. But the bone like archways are closely based on Gaudi's original designs. Gaudi made it clear that this facade should be grim and terrifying.
The Last Supper.As you enter the church these scenes of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem are etched into the floor.
This is Subirach's statue of Saint Georg ( Jordi) one of Barcelona's patron saints.They have not begun work on the Glory Facade, which will be the Resurrection of Christ. The three facades will chronicle Christ's life from birth , death and resurrection. Below is a model of what the Glory facade will look like. A life-sized image of the bronze front door emblazoned with the Lord's Prayer in Catalan, surrounded by "Give us this day our daily bread" in 50 languages is hanging where the door will be.
I was trying to take a picture of the English which I had spotted but was also listening to the guide and I missed getting a good shot of the door. The Lord's Prayer in Catalan is raised in the center of the door and the phases in the other languages are background. The significance of the other langauages is to show appreciation to all the peoplefrom various countries who have visited the Cathedral and contributed to its construction by buying tickets to view the building. 
I thought these doors were just beautiful! Me and my doors!
The floor plan is the shape of a Latin cross, 300 feet long and 200 feet wide. Ultimately, the church will encompass 48,000 square feet, accommodating 8000 worshippers. The nave's roof is 150 feet high. The churches roof and flooring were completed in 2010 - just in time for the consecration. The floor is a temporary one.
Gaudi said," Nothing is invented; it's written in nature." Like the trunks of trees, these 56 columns blossom with life, complete with brances, leaves, and knot-like capitals.
Little windows let light filter in like the canopy of a rainforest, giving both privacy and an intimate connection with God. "Gaudi envisioned an awe-inspiring canopy with a symphony of colored light to encourage a contemplative mood".
High up on the back half of the church the U-shaped choir - suspended above the nave- can seat 1000. The singers will eventuallly be backed by four organs.
At the center of the church stands 4 red columns, each marked with an evangelist's symbol and name in Catalan.
Behind the altar is a small chapel set aside for prayer and meditation.
The crypt which holds the tomb of Gaudi is just barely visible.Pictures cannot capture the beauty of this church. Gaudi , knowing that art evolves did not dictate every design in the church but left it open to the creative idea's of others to contribute to his overall plan. The design and color of the stain glass in the windows are just one aspect that add to his design - a forest with light bouncing off the leaves and the ground. When you first walk into the structure you are absolutely awed by its beauty.
I would love to come back when the entire Basilica is finished. Let's see, I'll be 81. Still young enough I think. Something to look forward to.
Still more Gaudi to come.
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