(By: [bastian.] on Flikr 8/10/2008. Some rights reserved)The Expiatory Temple de la Sagrada Familia or the Atoning Temple of the Sacred Family is Antoni Gaudi's most popular work. It is also one of Spain's most famous and visited tourist attraction. Work begun on the giant Catholic Basilica early 1882 and to this day visitors are advised to take care and only view certain areas, as the building is still a construction site!
Philanthropist Josep María Bocabella founded the Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph in 1866 with the intention of promoting the Catholic church at a time where the church was not as favoured in Spain. Because of low funds, the land and the construction of the church has always been funded by parishioners, benefactors and the millions of yearly visitors to the site. Although the concept was not Antoni Gaudi's original idea, he took control of the construction and design one year into the project after disagreements between the original architect Francisco de Paula del Villar and the council of the time. For the remainder of his life, he devoted all his time, energy and passion in to completing the project.
Inside the church, the architecture tells the story of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. For example the Jesus, the Virgin, the four evangelists and the twelve apostles are represented in the eighteen bell towers adorning the building. The entrance at the side of the building was one of the aspects of the building completed during Gaudi's lifetime and it depicts the Nativity Scene. The detail of this is something you can only fully appreciate when you see it for yourself. Inside, the church is supported by a series of columns. Each column is shaped and designed to look like a tree so the ceiling appears like it is supported by forest of trees.
(By: guillaumepaumier on Flikr 4/04/2007. Some rights reserved)Despite the project lasting more than one hundred years, a full-time team working on it and millions of paying visitors passing through the church daily, some say the project could take another twenty years to complete! Gaudi died without leaving any written plan, but his work continues to be emulated in this project with care taken in preserving his ideas and legacy. Having visited several iconic places of worship, i can say my visit to the Sagrada Familia in September 2008 was a particular highlight for me. It is one of a kind and nothing compares to the detail and grandeur of it.
(By: mgrenner57 on Flikr 7/10/2006. Some rights reserved.)Below is a video of what the completed Sagrada Familia would look like:
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