In the afternoon we visited The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família or more commonly known as Sagrada Família, meaning “Holy Family”. The church is considered to be Gaudí’s magnum opus. Construction on Sagrada Família began in 1882, about 130 years ago, and is not expected to be completed until the year 2028. Although still incomplete, the church has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paul Goldberger, one of the leading figures in architecture criticism once said La Sagrada Familia is “the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages”, while art critic Rainer Zerbst said “it is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art”. I would have to agree. Cole and I could have stayed for hours and hours. It is so incredibly beautiful and interesting and overwhelming all at the same time. Rather than try to tell you about it, I’ll show you through pictures.
The Nativity Façade faces the rising sun to the northeast, a symbol for the birth of Christ. It is divided into three porticoes each of which represents the theological virtues of hope, faith and charity.
In contrast, the Passion Façade is bare, simple and carved with hard straight lines as if it were reduced to bones. The Passion Façade is dedicated to the Passion of Christ, the suffering of Jesus during his crucifixion, and intended to portray the sins of man. Facing the setting sun, the Passion Façade is indicative and symbolic of the death of Christ.
We walked around the side of the church to access the crypt, an underground level located beneath the apse. The crypt is like most church buildings of the 19th century in New Gothic style. One of the chapels contains the site of Gaudí’s tomb.
