Category: Iberia 2016

The Sagrada Familia was Gaudi’s masterpiece.  He begun it in 1883 and continued work on it until his death in 1926.

When asked about the long construction schedule, Gaudi is said to have said simply “My client is not in a hurry.”

The view of the city from the climb up the spires of Sagrada Familia

While this might look like a gargoyle, it was really just the shadow of a dove sculpture along the side of the cathedral

Spiral staircase inside Sagrada Familia

The cathedral was only about 20% completed when Gaudi died in 1926.  Obsessed with finishing as much as he could, he had taken to living at the construction site.  His clothes worn to rags, and his appearance disheveled, he was struck by a cart in the street and it was hours before anyone came to his aid, believing he was a hobo.  He died soon after.

With multiple architects taking over the project in the decades since Gaudi’s death, each has left their own mark, and the figures on different parts of the cathedral bear very distinctive characters.

Sculpture of a choir of angel children above a set of doors to the cathedral.

The doors to the Nativity Facade were installed in 2014, designed by Japanese sculptor Etsuro Sotoo.

Fish-eye of the Sagrada Familia