Ok, I warned you…. this morning is all about the Sagrada Familia!
Having already gotten our tickets from the ATM yesterday we cruised past the loooong line snaking around the block waiting to purchase, collected our audio guides and entered the most impressive Cathedral I’ve ever seen.
This has to be seen to be believed – magnificent soaring arches (based upon tree branches), gorgeous stained glass windows filling the space with light and illuminating the huge amount of detail contained within.
The stained glass is still in the process of being installed, it is estimated that that will take perhaps another five years to complete but what is already there is just amazing.
The ceiling itself is so intricate that I wanted to lay on the floor and look at it but had to settle for the same stiff neck that everyone would probably have tomorrow. In fact the roof has only been on since 2000 so we have seen it at an exciting stage.
Having the audioguide was a great investment as you could easily miss many of the finer details, overwhelmed as you are by just the sheer magnitude of the structure -and of course the history and meaning behind the features was crucial.
Gaudí actually lived the last few months of his life in part of the Sagrada Familia and was obsessed with the structure, accepting no other work. In the museum below some of his drawings and models are displayed and he is actually buried in a crypt below as well.
We also bought tickets to go up in the lift which traverses one of the towers. On the left you can scaffolding and platforms around some of the lower towers where they are currently working on the “fruit topping.”
We came down via a tight spiral staircase with occasional views outside which was a bit stomach churning at times!
All in all, an outstanding experience and I only hope I might live long enough to see the finished product.