Antoni Gaudí (25 June 1852 – 10 June 1926) was a Spanish architect, born in Reus. Gaudí's work has a very individual and distinctive style and his most famous / well known work is the Sagrada Familia, a large (also the largest!!) Roman Catholic church in Barcelona - and now a UNESCO world heritage site. Work commenced in 1882 and it is still not finished! As you can see from the tower cranes, work is continuing on the building and it is expected to be finally finished in 2028! You can read more about it HERE. The sheer scale of it and the external decoration are quite breath-taking! It all seems very big for the space it's in. One cannot seem to get far enough away from it to take anything but upward-looking shots, as the closest buildings are not that far away - unless you resort to wide-angle or fisheye lenses!
I struggled to take photos because, as you see, there is a lot of scaffolding and many cranes in the way!
The front entrance.
The towers above the front entrance.
A lot of work going on, but you can still see the beauty of the church. The lighter shade of stone shows those parts which have been installed quite recently.
The workmanship is really outstanding.
A photo of a post card; obviously a night shot!
A post card of the interior. We did not get to go inside, as the queues were horrific - wall-to-wall, and about 500 metres long- and in the hot sun it seemed just too much of a strain ! The entrance fees were eye-watering as well! You can get tickets on-line, which saves queuing, but we hadn't thought that far ahead!
A post card aerial shot; you can see the cranes in place front and back.
Yet another postcard, this time of the interior.
We also visited the Museu Picasso, but sadly no cameras could be used inside. I have never been a Picasso fan, but after seeing his early paintings, I may just have changed my mind!
Post cards to the rescue again; this was simply called "Man in a hat" and not at all what you might expect of a Picasso!
The choirboy.
and for the cat lovers out there...
I thought that I would finish Barcelona in 3 parts but it is not to be! I still have the market, Columbus Monument, and a few odd photos of interest, so I hope that part 4 will be out there very soon. I promise I will get back to blogging on Charente subjects ASAP, so please hang in there!
For those who are following My Life Before Charente, I will get back to that I hope also very soon. Just too much to do, and now all the fruit is ready on the trees, there is much bottling to do in the kitchen as well!
What a magnificent church and quite an undertaking, considering it began in 1882. You are right, it is breathtaking.
ReplyDeletePicasso was a very interesting artist. Often some examples of his work surprise me. I would have guessed the cats to be his, but not the man in the hat nor the choir boy.
Sam
Sam it is just amazing, breathtaking and fantastic :-) I would love to see it finished but I doubt I will still be around then!
DeleteThe man and the boy were what really amazed me, I also would never have guessed at Picasso in my wildest dreams! Hope you are well Diane
I am glad you added another part to Barcelona! It is such an incredible city that it deserves more highlights. The cathedral is really breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteNadege we were there such a short time. There is so much to see and we only got to see a very small part. Take care Diane
DeleteThat church is so exuberant and the interior is inspiring and looks like a wonderful place to worship. I wonder if they hold worship services there. Gaudi was a genius and his works are fun to behold.
ReplyDeleteTerra so far as I understand, yes they do hold services there. I would guess you would have to queue for them as well! Have a good day Diane
DeleteWow, wow, wow! What a stunning church!
ReplyDeleteYou are right Pam, wow, wow, wow, it is out of this world. Take it easy, Diane
DeleteDear Diane, I have so very much enjoyed all of your three posts on Barcelona, and now expecting for the last. If I tell you when I cross that boarder there were customs and police you might have an idea of how long ago that was! maybe some thirty years, I wonder how those works on the Sagrada Familia never end. I must say your pictures are just amazing!! Regards!
ReplyDeleteThank you Pam for your kind comments. I guess the customs came down when the Euro came into being but I am not sure. Now you barely realise that you are in a different country! Take care Diane
DeleteHi Diane , Isn't it just amazing ,, :-) we loved it and I went up steps as far as we could ,, I must dig the photos out . Mind you it is 10 years since we went .. Cannot wait to see your photos of the market too ,, Keep them coming, you are doing a fab job xoxo
ReplyDeleteAnne there was no way you could have gone up the steps when we were there, security and queues have probably grown in the last 10 years! Thanks for the very kind comment. Keep well Diane oxxox
DeleteYou bring that place to life much more effectively than the tourist leaflets I have found...and, like you, I liked the early Picasso.
ReplyDeleteMother is having her 97th birthday in Spain this week in less august surroundings...and is promising to come back next year to 'do' Barcelona!
Thanks so much for the kind comment fly. Wow your mum must be doing very well for her age, good for her. Take care Diane
DeleteMy one wish is to go to Sagrada Familia after it's finished. I don't think anyone can live that long though! It is improving. Not quite as much scaffolding. Very disappointing about the lines. It's best inside when it's quiet.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see more!
Deana it was sad we did not get in, but I hate crowds and my back also does not like standing. Maybe we will go there again out of season :-) Have a good day Diane
DeleteLife is full for you too at the moment but much better than being bored, which I can never understand how people have time to be bored. We are painting the house and renovating the garden and running U3A classes so not much time here either. Guadi was an amazing architect, way ahead of his time. The church was covered in scaffolding when we were there too. We did get to go in on of his other famous buildings which I cant remember its name.
ReplyDeletediane I just cannot understand how anyone can bored in life but each to their own I guess. Hopefully one day we will get back there and we can see it properly. Have a good weekend Diane.
Deletei love gaudi and ths work is magnificent! i love picasso too, and dali, an modigliano...on and on. thank you so much for sharing this. i can't wait to see the market!
ReplyDeleteJaz thanks for the kind comment and I am so glad that you are enjoying this series. Keep well Diane
DeleteI was always a little ambivalent about Picasso until I visited the Picasso museum in Paris many years ago and loved it. I've never been to the Barcelona museum but I think I might just feel the same way.
ReplyDeletePhil I have to say seeing his early work certainly made me see him in a new light. I still do not like the later paintings though!! Keep well Diane
DeleteThat has to be the most amazing church I have ever seen. Reminds me of a drip sand castle. Don't blame you for not wanting to wait in the queues to get inside but sure glad you bought postcards. Plus the Picasso Museum. He sure did paint in a variety of styles over his life.
ReplyDeleteGaelyn I think this is one of the most amazing buildings I have ever seen. I would think it is the only one in recent years that has taken so long to be built as well!! I loved Picasso's early work but I still find his later work very weird!! Just my taste! Have a good weekend Diane
DeleteWe visited the Sagrada Familia about 15 years ago (my wife is a big fan of Gaudi so we took in all the Gaudi sites around Barcelona). It seems that a lot of work has been done since then!
ReplyDeleteI remember also finding it difficult to take a picture that would do justice to the immensity of the structure.
thanks for sharing these
Thanks Bill for the comment and the visit. I think they are getting on with the work but it is slow; one day!!!! I would like to return to Barcelona now to see all the things that we missed. Have a good day Diane
DeleteMerci pour cette balade ibérique et pour toutes ces belles photos qui nous emmènent en voyage aussi. Cette église est une oeuvre d'art
ReplyDeleteSee soon
Nadji il est une œuvre d'art. J'aimerais voir terminé!Bon week-end, Diane
DeleteSuch intricate details on that church, wow!
ReplyDeleteRose it has to be seen to be believed. I guess that one day they will get it finished! Keep well Diane
DeleteWhat a beautiful church that is. The front entrance is stunning. We definitely have to go there when we go to Spain, hopefully in the spring again.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Riet it was certainly one of the highlights of our visit. If we go again we would buy tickets on line before we went though. Have a good weekend, Diane
DeleteI have thoroughly enjoyed your posts from Barcelona. It is a city I would love to go to one day, but just in case I don't I can arm-chair travel through your wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteDenise that is exactly the way I feel about the Grand Canyon :-) Amazing what one can see through another pair of eyes. Keep well Diane
Deletelooks like this is going to be one massive construction . The church already looks magnificent now even tho it has not completed yet.
ReplyDeleteLena one wonders if it will ever be finished but i am sure it will be eventually ! Keep well Diane
DeleteWhat a beautiful structure. I can see why it is a heritage site.
ReplyDeleteJoyful it is quite extraordinary, once seen never forgotten! Hope you are well, Diane
DeleteI just love the Sagrada Familia. Great shots, Diane.
ReplyDeleteJM it is just the most amazing place. Next time we go we will plan better and get inside as well! Hope all well Diane
DeleteYour holiday photos are spectacular! You don't miss much :-). Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteMary we are lucky to live where there is so much close at hand. We are very spoilt. Take care Diane
DeleteHi Diane .. I'd love to spend more time in Barcelona .. and get a chance to see the Sagrada Familia ...inside and out - it looks just amazing, but had realised I probably need to read about the Church to get a feel for the building.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Picasso .. but I saw a tv programme given by Michael Portillo (he is half Spanish) on Guernica and that opened my eyes ... and the more I don't understand about painting, generally everything, the more interesting it becomes and starts to make sense ...
Love the photos - be they yours or postcards ... it's always seemed a good alternative to me .. cheers Hilary
Hilary I love art in many forms and would love to go back a few years and study it properly. My memory is not so good these days, and to take a course would be a waste as I would forget so much. All my brain power at this stage of my life goes into trying to remember French!!!
DeleteHave a good day Diane
Hello Diane!
ReplyDeleteWOW, my goodness! This cathedral is something else!
Although I can't say I like the style, I have to admit it VERY impressive!
Thanks for these incredible pics!
Noushaka not really my style either, but it is amazing and well worth looking at. I would still like to try and see the inside as well. Hope you are well.
DeleteDiane, thanks for posting this! The photos are wonderful and proves what a creative talented architect Gaudi was. I can imagine how impressive it is to see the cathedral in person. Picasso was definitely one of a kind and the cat drawing is great, unique and kind of surprising. Happy bottling --- 'tis the season!
ReplyDeletePam I was stunned by Picassos' early paintings, they are superb, I just strongly dislike his later work! Glad you enjoyed the post and hope all is well with you both, Diane
DeleteGreat shot, i have love this special architectur chuch in Barcelona
ReplyDeleteLouisette retriever the artitechture in Barcelona is something else and well worth a visit. Keep well Diane
DeleteIt's one of the few buildings in the world where I can appreciate it's magnificence without actually liking the style as much as others do. Does that make sense? It's a remarkable building - and I love the interior.
ReplyDeleteCraig I am really sorry we did not get to see the inside but.... I have to agree I do not like the style particularly but you have to admire it none the less. Hope you are both well Diane
DeleteI have been away for over a month and your post is making me feel like i am still on my hoiday.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well.
Red
Delighted Boye By Red that you feel that way. Take care Diane
DeleteI got to see an exhibit of Picasso's early works and was amazed how he had changed his way of painting so drastically. I really like your idea of taking photos of post cards for when a camera is not allowed inside museums.
ReplyDeletebackroadjournal I was really stunned when I saw his early work. It is amazing, and I really do not like any of his later paintings. The postcards were the only option or there would have been a loss of continuity:-) Keep well Diane
DeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed your Birthday!
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you Regine. It was the best birthday ever and it has been going on for ages :-) Last little celebration is tomorrow and then I have to wait for another big one! Keep well Diane
DeleteThe Sagrada Familia has always been one of my favourite buildings, how wonderful your photos are too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your visit and comment Daniel. It really is an amazing building, I hope to see it properly one day. Have a good day. Diane
DeleteSpain is on my list for this summer. I am really looking forward to it. Thanks for sharing these great photos of Barcelona.
ReplyDeleteVelva
Velva I hope that you enjoy it as much as we did, just remember there are pick pockets in the big towns. Just take care and you will be OK. I want to return our trip was too rushed. Have a great day Diane
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