Day 2: Sagrada Familia and Park Güell

Sagrada Familia Passion Façade

My first sight was Antonio Gaudí's other-worldly, gem of modernista architecture, the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) cathedral.  The cathedral he envisioned has been under construction for nearly 100 years and is still being built.  It's truly something to behold.

Que es la verita?

The Passion Façade greets us pilgrims and poses some interesting questions.  

One side of the transept

The nave is designed to feel like a forest with the pillars as trees tapering into branches holding up the canopy.  Gaudí used themes from nature heavily as inspiration for his designs.

The Nativity Façade tells the story of Christ's birth and soars into a landmark that can be seen from all over the city.

Nativity Façade

I took the "tower tour" as well, which takes you in an elevator high up in one of the towers, lets you walk across the bridge above the Nativity Façade to the other towers, and descend via a seemingly infinite spiral staircase.

Ceramic-covered Spires

Inspired by seeds, cones, pollen, you name it; Gaudí's vision included colors, like these ceramic-covered spires.

Looking from these lofty heights, you can see workers in harnesses chiseling and carving.

Entrance to Park Güell from terrace

After visiting the Sagrada Familia, I hired a taxi to take me to one more of Gaudí's masterpieces, Park Güell, an aspiring residential "gated community" that never really took off 100 years ago.  I guess it was ahead of its time.  At least now everyone can enjoy some of his creations in the midst of acres of green space overlooking Barcelona.

In the warm weather, the park's various overlooks and colonnades become stages for guitarists and other musicians.

I couldn't find the bus to take me back to Sagrada Familia, so I tried to locate the nearest metro stop.  After a couple-mile walk (and getting a bit lost) I traveled back to the Ramblas and walked down by the pier in the evening light and then to the fountains of Plaza Catalunya.

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More images from the day

At the Sagrada Familia workers, suspended, are carving more of the façade.

The Nativity Façade

Detail of the Nativity Façade, Herod's slaughter of the innocents.

Part of the nave of the Sagrada Familia

One outside wall of the nave, resembling light filtering through a forest canopy.

Spiral staircase, descending a tower.

The nave with the crucifix above the altar.

A view of one side of the Gloria Façade from one of the towers.  This is going to be awesome when it's complete.  The façade was closed due to construction.

Park Güell entrance with grand staircase leading to terrace and columns.

Small segment of one of the arcades with a pathway on top.

Under one of the arcades; the acoustics were amazing and there was a Spanish guitarist playing here.

View of Barcelona from Tres Cruces, a monument at the top of the park.  That giant cathedral is the Sagrada Familia.  It's huge!

Some boats in Barcelona's Port Vell.

Fountain in Plaza Cataluña