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| La Sagrada Familia |
Im a great lover of all things Gaudi...Miro a close second. What was amazing on this roman catholic cathedral is that I first visited it 15 years ago. At that time I can't recall work being done on the unfinished shell...but now, what is probably Gaudi's greatest work, is being finished.
Sadly, probably not for some time. The site has actually been under construction since 1882 until Gaudi died in 1926. That is not a typing error!! Its not expected to be completed any time before 2030...everyone has different views as to actual completion time and this is Spain.
Unfortunately, Gaudi didn't leave clear details as he was constantly changing the building design and plans subsequently got destroyed in the civil war. Consequently we will never know whether the interpretation the architects are now giving to the plans is what Gaudi would have done.
Opened in 2010 to visitors (there is a small museum inside and Gaudi's crypt) the site is still, as you can see from the photos- one big building site. When finished, if it is true to agreed views on how Gaudi planned it, the church will be about 100 by 60m and hold 13,000 people. Four towers in each of the three facades representing the 12 apostles , four others- the evangelists, one tower dedicated to Virgin Mary and the tallest- some 170m- representing Jesus will form the 18 towers in total.
After that ...a quick visit to the cool and quirky Parc Guell, another Gaudi creation. Ive loved this park ever since i first saw it so many years ago. Its whimsical, crazy, fantastical and reminds me now of that second fabulous but not in the 1000 places to see before you die book northern Indian garden that sadly has nothing on the web about it...I should sort that out!
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| entrance to parc guell |
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| the view from parc gull |
So, worthwhile inclusion in the 1000 places to see before you die book...a big resounding yes!!
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