Barcelona: The Sagrada Familia
Back in 2011 I went on a weekend trip to Barcelona with family and friends. It was the first time after getting my first SLR camera that I had a camera with me on a trip and I was still largely getting to grips with photography, a time when composition was still a strange word that I had little understanding of.
I made a point of it that we should all go to the Sagrada Familia as one of Barcelona's most iconic landmarks, it wasn't difficult to persuade anyone. So what is it? A very unique Cathedral that was designed by the famous architecht/designer Gaudi. You can see his work all over Barcelona as it is truly unique. The Cathedral is designed in the style he is most famous for.
I didn't realise it until we went through the mini-museum in the Cathedral, but his design inspiration comes directly from the shapes you find in nature. When you look at the pillars inside, you realise they do indeed look like the stems of plants. He used the shapes of leaves and shells.
It makes sense in an unconventional way when you think about it, since some of the strongest, most resilient structures occur naturally in nature. The thing that really struck me though about this place is the abundance of light and colour. Its a vast open space and the light shines through windows in various places that brings a lot of colour into the Cathedral and reflects off all the walls, very unlike most Cathedrals in Europe that tend to be a bit darker, sedate and grey.
But like in any true cathedral fashion, its taking a very long time to build and finish this place. Construction has been ongoing for the last 135 years.. its started in 1882 and is expected to be completed in 2026 - 28. On the subject of the length of construction time Gaudi had been quoted as saying "My client is not in a hurry" - referring of course to God. When Gaudi died in 1926 the Cathedral was 15 and 25 percent complete.
Personally, I would love to return for more photos, especially now that I have years more experience with photography. But I will wait until the current political upheaval dies down a bit.
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so beautiful place! amazing artistic work :)
it really is :)
Heya, just swinging by to let you know you're being featured in our Daily Travel Digest!
Congrats on making it in again!!!
oh wow thank you! Thats wonderful :)
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WOW what an amazing Cathedral, never seen anything like it, for your fist time with an SLR you did pretty well, but would love to see you visit there again
Thanks! I promise you if I do it will be reported here! :)
😎👍😎
Wow! You probably hear wow a lot. These are a stunning series of photos. I can only imagine how you must have felt to be there amongst so must beauty!
Thanks so much! I tell you, it was quite something. I kinda went through a mix of feelings.. its so different from anything else it almost seems alien when you first walk in so you're a bit disconcerted.. but then you learn about it and you spend time in the space and you start to feel over-awed. It was quite stunning.
Great photos. I wonder if they are ever actually going to finish it! It was still being built in the early 90s when I saw it the first time.
Thanks! They're due to finish it in 2026 - 28 but who knows really :)
Beautiful shots, just realised I rarely see the interior
Thanks, its worth seeing in person if you ever get the chance :)
I've been dying to go to Barcelona and see the cathedral! It's so beautiful! Thank you for sharing :)
My pleasure :) You have to go, Barcelona really does have a lot to offer.
:)