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Exploring the world with Curtis and Peggy Mekemson
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  • Sagrada Familia… Barcelona’s Masterpiece of Art and Faith Soars Toward the Sky

    Posted at 5:00 am by Curt Mekemson
    May 29th
    An interior photo of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain

    Walking into Sagrada Familia and looking up is like entering a totally different world.

    Barcelona arrived in the Twentieth Century with its own brand of Art Nouveau, Modernisme. Combining whimsical and practical with a healthy dollop of nature, Barcelona’s Catalan artists and architects did a makeover of their city. Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), the best known among the Modernistas, added strong religious belief to his work and became the architect of Sagrada Familia, the Church of the Holy Family.

    Started in 1883, the church continues to be a work in progress today. Like the great cathedrals of the Gothic and Renaissance periods, it is a work of generations, and like the great cathedrals of Europe, is a masterpiece of art and architecture. Peggy, I, and our traveling companions walked inside and could only stare in awe at the beauty. I’ve selected the photos for this blog to provide a sense of why.

    Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

    The front of Sagrada Familia reflects Antoni Gaudi’s love of nature and is sometimes described as looking like a melting cake. My thoughts are a melting ice cream cake. The church is a work in progress. The four towers are the first of 14.

    Sagrada Familia towers representing Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

    A close up of the towers. The lower right shows doves that Gaudi  included on the church.

    Subirachs ' Passion sculpture on Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

    This sculpture found on the opposite side of the church is one of many included in Joseph Marin Subirachs’ story of Christ’s death. I found the modern sculptures both powerful and moving.

    Subirachs sculptures on Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

    More sculptures by Subirachs.

    Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

    Another view looking up inside of Sagrada Familia. The columns inside the church range from 36 to 72 feet tall. The ceiling vault reaches a height of 200 feet. The final tower, which will rest on the beams and ceiling, will soar 560 feet into the air, making it the tallest church steeple in the world.

    Celing of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

    The columns in Sagrada Familia come in different colors and follow Gaudi’s nature theme. Designed to symbolize tree trunks, they branch at the top. The clear windows will eventually be replaced with stained glass windows.

    Stained glass windows in Sagrada Familia

    The majority of beautiful stained glass windows are already in place. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson)

    Stained glass windows in Sagrada Familia

    This, and the two photos below, provide more examples of stained glass windows in the church.

    Stained glass windows in Sagrada Familia

    Stained glass windows in Sagrada Familia

    Stained glass windows in Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

    A rather unique set of stained glass windows.

    Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

    I thought this interior photo captured the etherial quality of Sagrada Familia.

    Organ pipes in Sagrada Familia

    I love this artistic juxtaposition of the organ pipes and stained glass windows taken by Peggy. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson)

    The Crucifix that hangs above the altar in Sagrada Familia.

    The Crucifix that hangs above the altar.

    Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

    A final view of Sagrada Familia. Cranes show work in progress. The church is scheduled to be finished in 2026.

    NEXT BLOG: We leave the Mediterranean and head for Lisbon.

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    Author: Curt Mekemson

    Wanderer, writer, photographer and activist. I've now settled in Southern Oregon. 1.8 million acres of national forest are out the backdoor and the beautiful Applegate River is out the front door. I like travel, reading, history and wild places. I am married to the lovely, funny, bright Peggy.
    Posted in Wandering The World | Tagged Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona, Catalan, Joseph Marin Subirachs, Modernisme, Modernista, Sagrada Familia |

    20 thoughts on “Sagrada Familia… Barcelona’s Masterpiece of Art and Faith Soars Toward the Sky”

    • Alison

      May 29, 2013 at 6:07 am

      Fabulous photos. I was also pleased with my own photos. But it doesn’t matter how many photos you take, how many angles, they can never do it justice can they? Hopefully enough to inspire people to go see for themselves. I think it’s one of the most extraordinary, and beautiful, places I’ve ever seen.
      Here’s my own post about it in case you’re interested
      http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/the-genius-of-antoni-gaudi-1852-1926/
      Cheers
      Alison

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        May 29, 2013 at 8:43 am

        Ah, Alice… lovely. I am so sorry Peggy an I were on the tight ship schedule. There was so much more to see and do in Barcelona. I loved Gaudi’s work. And you’re right. It is so hard to capture how truly magnificent Sagrada Familia is.

        Reply
    • tocksin

      May 29, 2013 at 6:12 am

      Whose design was the crusifiction

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        May 29, 2013 at 8:54 am

        Gaudi, I believe.

        Reply
        • tocksin

          May 29, 2013 at 9:33 am

          will have to see, that would be interesting, Thank you.
          As an aside, i was there some twenty years ago; nothing like the colossal your photographs exhibit; especially the stained glass; my one goal now is to return to Barcelona.

        • Curt Mekemson

          May 29, 2013 at 7:14 pm

          One of my goals as well. And to spend much more time.

    • Animalcouriers

      May 29, 2013 at 7:18 am

      What glorious photographs! Especially like the first one.

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        May 29, 2013 at 8:46 am

        Thanks. Sagrada Familia is as unique as it is beautiful. I felt the church was easily the equivalent of the great cathedrals of the Middle Ages.

        Reply
        • Animalcouriers

          May 29, 2013 at 12:46 pm

          It was certainly that when we last visited 20 years ago but it must be so much more so now it is nearing completion. Your shots make us need to visit again very soon indeed.

    • shoreacres

      May 29, 2013 at 7:14 pm

      Absolutely extraordinary. When I glanced at the first two photos I thought of Richard Harris’ version of “MacArthur Park” – particularly, “someone left the cake out in the rain”. And lo – that very description has occurred to someone else.

      There really isn’t anything more to say, except that I’d love to spend a day there myself, from sunrise to dark, just to see the light changing through the hours. It’s ethereal, surreal and whimsical – just marvelous.

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        May 29, 2013 at 7:30 pm

        I certainly want to go back. We had limited time but devoted a healthy portion of what we had to the church. You walk in and just say, Ah.

        Reply
    • Kenneth Merrick

      May 30, 2013 at 3:30 am

      Beautiful stuff. The leaning columns are special, just can’t argue with gravity. Realised upside down, now are right way round.

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        May 30, 2013 at 8:22 am

        I suspect seeing the church from standing on your head would also be impressive. (grin)

        Reply
    • FeyGirl

      May 30, 2013 at 5:41 am

      Ah, one of my all-time favorites…. This is most definitely on my bucket list! How I would have LOVED to have met this man. 🙂 Beautiful!

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        May 30, 2013 at 8:36 am

        Me too, me too. On Friday I am going to reblog an article from two other of my WordPress friends that shows even more of his work.

        Reply
    • free penny press

      May 30, 2013 at 3:30 pm

      Yup.. you have definitely added Barcelona on my “must visit” list.. have to see if I can do a work/sightsee adventure next spring..
      the photos are simply divine!

      Reply
    • Anonymous

      July 2, 2013 at 9:17 pm

      This is how churches should feel!!!! Incredible colors, light, heights, spirals, and more…..

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        July 5, 2013 at 10:12 am

        It certainly inspires a feeling of awe.

        Reply
    • Sartenada

      March 25, 2018 at 11:54 pm

      You have done excellent work. I love Your beautiful photos. We nearly visited it many years ago, but queues were too long. 🙂 Anyway, now I visited it thru Your stunning photos.

      Thank You for this post – I enjoyed it very much.

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        March 26, 2018 at 2:37 pm

        The Sagrada Famlia is truly one of the great works of modern art. A masterpiece. Glad you enjoyed the post. –Curt

        Reply

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