Sagrada Familia

Gaudi’s Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (Basilica of the Holy Family). The cornerstone for Sagrada Familia was laid in 1882. Antoni Gaudi took over from the original architect in 1883. The original plans for the basilica were for it to be in the Neo–Gothic style. Gaudi changed it to reflect Catalonian Modernism style but it was more Gaudi’s individual style. The Sagrada Familia is due to be finished in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. Gaudi was rundown by a tram when he was 73 years old. He is buried in a crypt in the basilica.

The Passion Facade

The basilica has three facades: one of Jesus’ birth, the Nativity Facade; another for his death, the Passion Facade; and one for his resurrection, the Glory Facade. This facade is the Passion Facade.

Sculpture on the Passion Facade

This sculpture on the Passion Facade is “The Crucifixion of Christ.”

The Facade

More of the facade.

Inside the Basilica

Inside the Basilica of Sagrada Familia. When I was here in 2006, the interior of the basilica was very plain with only a few stained–glass windows. What a difference it is today. We didn’t need advance reservations then to go inside it, which you do now. I don’t remember there being a fee either as there is now. The fees are used for finishing the basilica.

Inside the Basilica

More of the inside of the basilica.

Inside the Basilica

Stained–glass windows.

Basilica’s Towers

A view of some of the basilica’s towers. More towers have to be constructed to finish the basilica.

Tower Visit

You can take an elevator up to either the Navity Facade Tower or to the Passion Facade Tower. My daughter, Britt, went up the Passion Facade Tower. This photo is hers: view from the Passion Facade Tower.

Sagrada Familia

A view of the Basilica of Sagrada Familia from the park across the street.

I have put my photos of Sagrada Familia on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/gaudis–barcelona–2–sagrada–familia/
(Slide Shows, Western Europe, Spain–1, Barcelona 2019, “Gaudi’s Barcelona: Sagrada Familia”).

Hospital of Sant Pau

We next hopped on the hop–on hop–off bus to get off at the Hospital of Sant Pau. This Art Nouveau complex was very much a surprise as neither of us had heard of it before. We saw it from the bus and decided to see it. It was a surprise as it had only opened to be public in 2014 and my travel guide to Barcelona was out of date. There was a feeling here of wonder––hard to believe that an entire hospital was built in the Art Nouveau style.

Hospital of Sant Pau

This photo shows what originally was a ward for patients. Today, it is an art gallery.

Hospital of Sant Pau

The ceiling of a room past the ward was beautiful.

Hospital Sant Pau

Under the dome.

Hospital Sant Pau

The back of the main building. There are 26 buildings as part of the Sant Pau complex. They can be reached from underground passages. You can see the openings of the passages in the photo. The patio was delightful to sit in and to look in wonder at all the Art Nouveau buildings––quite a visual experience.

Hospital Sant Pau

A view of some of the Art Nouveau buildings, a tower, and a cross.

Hospital Sant Pau

Another Art Nouveau building.

Hospital Sant Pau

There were also beautiful murals on the walls.

I have put my photos of Hospital Sant Pau on a slideshow. Go to http://www.peggysphotos.com/hospital–sant–pau/ (Slide Shows, Western Europe, Spain–1, Barcelona 2019, “Hospital Sant Paul”).