La Sagrada Familia

This beautiful, incredible cathedral-in-progress (since 1882) probably speaks for itself, and has been professionally photographed by many others, so I'll only share a few of my amateur shots.

I was here in 1989, so on this visit I was baffled why almost none of it looked familiar. The only part I remembered was the "Nativity Facade," the side that Gaudi himself worked on before his death. I had no memory of the amazing, stunning, tree-like columns of the interior. Photos and timelines at the cathedral museum confirmed that much work has been done since 1989, but this photo I found from 1988 shows that the interior essentially did not exist back then: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sagrada_Familia_Construction_1988.jpg. That's why I didn't remember it! This one from 1993 shows the tree-like columns being erected: http://www.gaudiallgaudi.com/images/1993d.JPG. They are so incredible. Absolutely mind-blowing.

Here is what I was able to capture of this incredible place:

I have to begin with the tree-like columns, because they are absolutely amazing. They are a Gaudi creation, but he never lived to see them realized. He knew the cathedral would take decades more to complete, so he left detailed plans for his vision. What a vision.

Looking straight up to the ceiling of the cathedral.

Today, the team funding and leading the continued construction are creating and installing stained glass, slowly, slowly, around the entire cathedral.

Here you can see the completed windows next to the ones that are not yet completed.

This is the "Nativity Facade," that was completed back in the 1930s and on which Gaudi himself worked most directly, before his death in 1926.

The Nativity Facade depicts Jesus's birth, whereas the "Passion Facade," which is newly complete, depicts his death. Hence, on this side the wise men, but also many symbols of life, abundance, growth...

...and on the Passion Facade side, the starkness of death and suffering. 

None of these sculptures were mounted on this side when I was here in 1989. The first sculptures by Josep Maria Subirachs were mounted in 1990. Some say Gaudi intended the Passion side to be more stark and harsh, but some dislike the Subirachs sculptures and find them anachronistic with their hint of Cubism. I absolutely love them.

The towers of the Passion Facade were complete in 1976, 50 years after Gaudi's death. But you can see that work continues even on this side.

Work continues all around the site, funded today largely by the tourist entrance fees.

The largest components that remain are a huge tower in the center and a third facade, the Glory Facade, promised to be the largest and to become the main entrance to the cathedral when it is completed. It is intended to depict humanity "within the general order of creation." Three doors on the facade will depict charity, hope, and faith and seven columns will symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Here are a couple links to models of the future Glory Facade, scheduled to be complete around 2026, 100 years after Gaudi's death. I'll have to come back then!

http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/docs_instit/simbologia_b2.php
http://www.gaudidesigner.com/uk/sagrada-familia-original-gaudi-model-for-the-glorys-facade_320.html

and how it looks now, under construction:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia_Glory_Facade_2011.jpg

I'm sitting here imagining that in 1989, I was about to turn 21. Now I am about to turn 44, and the city of Barcelona has nearly completed the interior of this astounding building in those years. What the heck have I done?