The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (English: Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family; Spanish: Basílica y Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia), commonly known as the Sagrada Família (Catalan pronunciation: [səˈɣɾaðə fəˈmiɫiə]), is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926).
Gaudí devoted his last years to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete. Família's construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War—only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Construction passed the midpoint in 2010 with some of the project's greatest challenges remaining and an anticipated completion date of 2026—the centennial of Gaudí's death. The basílica has a long history of dividing the citizens of Barcelona—over the initial possibility it might compete with Barcelona's cathedral, over Gaudí's design itself, over the possibility that work after Gaudí's death disregarded his design, and the recent possibility that an underground tunnel of Spain's high-speed rail link to France could disturb its stability.
Gaudi's most famous and persistent work is this unfinished landmark and #1 tourist attraction in Barcelona. The church is still under construction for another few decades. (Kudos to the project mgr) We followed buddy Rick's advice and purchased tickets ahead. Throughout the day, eager tourists line up around the block to see this masterpiece. Here we sit on the Passion facade depicting symbolism from the Bible.
We are awe struck by the beautiful stain glass windows with different colors that fills the interior with the presents of calmness once inside. Tree like columns are made to replicate a forest souring 90m.
We take the handie lift to the top of the Passion tower that over looks the church below and construction cranes above.
Okay, enough of old architecture for today. We decided to rent a tandem bike and took a little ride around the beach. Actually, Gary did all the peddling, I just put up my legs on the bike frame and went along. Hehe;)
Heading west, we came across Frank Gehry's ( Canadian) copper mesh fish. He designed this for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic marking the location of the Olympic Village.
We rode to Barceloneta, an old seaside fishing village along the waterfront. Gary even got to dip his toes into the Mediterranean for the first time.
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