Epic Honeymoon - Day 30 - Barcelona

Our last day in Barcelona, 14 October 2017, began with a fleeting visit to Palau Güell, just off La Rambla. An example of Gaudi’s early work, we never planned to go inside – maybe we should have, because the exterior wasn’t particularly exciting! There were some cool adornments, but that was about it.

We had a few trips left on our Barcelona metro card, so we wanted to make the most of them. We shot out to Fontana station, one stop earlier than the previous day’s Park Güell trip, and visited another Gaudi house, Casa Vicens. This one was unfortunately under renovation work, but we could see the general design outside. A lot squarer rather than the flowing shapes of Batlló and Milà, Vicens looks a bit like it’s made of Lego bricks. This idea is helped along by the choice of contrasting colours, too.

Casa Vicens, Barcelona.

From here, we wandered back towards the city, taking a simple lunch on Passeig de Gràcia at Pans & Company. This is another small fast food chain we had seen in a few places. It’s like a Spanish mixture of McDonalds and Subway. The best part is the side of fries can be exchanged for Patatas Bravas, which is a common Spanish dish of thick-cut wedges with a spicy BBQ sauce and mayo.

Patatas Bravas almost means "bravo potatoes"!

Spanish Subway at Pans & Company.

We headed for La Sagrada Familia – by metro this time! – to meet our 16:30 booking. As I mentioned, the exterior on the main entrance side (the Nativity façade) looks a bit like a flaking mud castle. It’s only when you get closer that you can take in the intricate and amazing detail of all the carvings adorning the façade. The entire Basilica is dedicated to the Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and so there is symbolism galore in tribute to them.

From the outside is one thing to behold...

Once you proceed through the doors and into the church itself, you will be absolutely blown away. Without a word of a lie, my reaction upon casting my eyes to the ceiling was utter awe and amazement. The columns, designed like forest trees, truly soar above you as if to reach the forest canopy. Splitting into “branches” that hold up the roof, it is an absolutely incredible sight to behold. It would take me all day to describe everything you can see inside and on the ceiling, so I will let the pictures do most of the work.

... from the inside is entirely another!!

Stained glass windows catching the sunlight perfectly.

The forest of pillars.

The Passion façade uses blues and greens for a softer light.

Admiring the incredible ceiling.

We read on one of the information boards that when an architect from New Zealand came to join the project, he could not get his head around what Gaudi had designed. And then, one day, the penny dropped and he realised it was inspired by forest and natural architecture, and he could suddenly see it all so clearly.

The Nativity façade uses reds and oranges to catch the morning sun.

An absolute festival of colour.

Reaching for the heavens.

The pillars are a geometric marvel to behold.

The stained glass windows on the Nativity side are coloured in blues and greens, capturing the morning sun, while the Passion side uses reds and yellows to emphasise the sunset. At the Glory façade, which will eventually be used as the main entrance, there stands a large tablet in front of the door. Here, the Lord’s Prayer is written in large letters in the local Catalan language, and then the key phrase of “Give us, this day, our daily bread” in 50 other languages around the side.

The Glory façade hosting the Lord's Prayer in Catalan.

Outside, on the Passion façade, the Stations of the Cross (the steps leading to Jesus’ crucifixion) are carved in an S shape, leading up to the top. The faces of figures are much more square-shaped here, as compared to the smoothness on the Nativity façade. I believe this is meant to emphasise the sorrow of these scenes.

The Passion façade.

The sorrow is truly evident on the faces.

In the basement, accessible from the right-hand side of the Passion façade, there is a detailed and fascinating museum about the design work and building of various aspects of the Basilica. It’s incredibly interesting to learn where Gaudi got his inspiration from for the key aspects of the design. You can also cast your eye into the Crypt below the Basilica where Gaudi’s tomb is situated. It’s fitting that he can watch over the completion of his marvellous creation, which started work in 1882 and is set to only be completed in 2026.

The sacristy where priests prepare for the service.

Emerging out to the Nativity side once more, we took a closer look at some of the scenes depicted on the façade; all events leading up to and thereafter Jesus’ birth. And then some of the finer details like the leaf panels that cover the door, and the half-turtle / half-tortoise that supports the columns. This is meant to symbolise Barcelona’s dual roles at land and at sea, all while supporting the church.

The Nativity façade, showing events of the Old Testament.

Amazingly intricate details.

It's no wonder the construction has taken almost 150 years.

Barcelona's dual status of land and sea.

Right down to the smallest details.

I can honestly say that this is an attraction you cannot miss. La Sagrada Familia is probably one of the best sights I have seen in all my travels, so be sure not to miss it when you visit Barcelona.

La Sagrada Familia is an absolute must see when you visit Barcelona.

And so, we must say farewell to Barcelona; to Catalunya; to Spain. And also to the Mediterranean sun because, now, we head north into the land of the Franks.

Set your tastebuds to delicious on Day 31!