Dare you leave Barcelona without a visit to the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) Cathedral, and you have certainly missed out an architectural gem that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The architect, Antonio Gaudi, is considered the master builder in Barcelona–and his work can be seen everywhere in the city, including ordinary apartment houses and hotels. It is quite unmistakeable and instantly recognized as his work. It’s like when you see a Picasso– you know who the artist is once you take a peek at the canvas, even if you know nothing about art. Such is the case with Gaudi.
The cathedral is a marvel for two very specific reasons. For one, it is still incomplete despite the work having begun over 125 years ago (1882) and the fact that Gaudi died in 1926 after he was run over by a streetcar. The craftsmen still working to complete the structure today are using plans that were designed by Gaudi, and they endeavor to finish the work as he designed it (or at least an attempt at a good interpretation, since Gaudi was known to step in and change the design as the men were molding the stone).
The many current tradesmen are young and have come from other countries to be part of this historic work. It is wonderful to visit the cathedral and actually be able to see them carving stone and mixing concrete. Huge construction cranes loom over the building like a massive set of puppeteer strings yanking on the workers below. Amazingly, it is said that the temple is not set to be completed for another 30-80 years!
Second, its style is unlike anything you’ve ever seen in a cathedral. Technically gothic in format–though many consider it expressionist or modernista–you’ve certainly never laid eyes on this form of design elsewhere. It has an almost monstrous or melting look. None of the fine and precise lines and angles that one notably sees in a typical cathedral or church exists for the most part. The shape is essentially organic, taking on many twists and turns that are rather abnormal — and you can’t imagine how the building actually stands. Things seem uneven or off-kilter. Even the stained glass has the ungodly appearance of a monster’s evil gaze or horrible grin. Most consider Gaudi to have been way ahead of his time in terms of architecture of the era, and his work now still looks fresh and modern today.
Gaudi is buried in the temple, and you can visit his crypt. There is also a museum that can provide great insight into the man and the history of the cathedral. It’s an architecturalphile’s dream! You can even climb to the top of a few of the towers and look out on beautiful Barcelona.
There are many other stunning examples of Gaudi’s work throughout Barcelona, but Sagrada Familia is his piece de resistance. If you see nothing else in Barcelona, make sure this masterpiece is on your agenda.