Sagrada Familia (Gaudi Cathedral)

Cathedrals are by far one of my favorite things to visit when in other counties. They simply boggle my mind with their massive size and yet unbelievable detail. I’ve seen some amazing Cathedrals such as Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome (monstrous!) and Notre Dame in Paris, but I have never, ever seen anything like La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Not only is it one of my favorite Cathedrals, but it is one of my favorite sites I’ve seen in all my travels. I felt as if I had left the world behind and entered into a cartoon (ok, that sounds weird but I mean it in a good way). It is very open inside, incredibly colorful, and in true Gaudí fashion, full of amazing light, shapes, and textures. Someone could literally spend a week studying both the inside and outside (and though unfinished) would still find something new. Every part of the design of La Sagrada Família is rich with Christian symbolism, but even if you aren’t a Christian it is impossible to not admire Gardi’s ambitiously beautiful vision. My favorite part was the Nativity façade, an intricate sculpture scene of the birth of Christ carved into the back of the Cathedral. Also, a trip to the top is not to be missed as it offers not only a more up close and personal view of the Cathedral itself, but offers some fantastic views of Barcelona. The craziest part….the Cathedral isn't even close to being finished! His vision is slowly taking shape through donations. No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a visit to La Sagrada Familia, and no trip to Spain would be complete without a trip to Barcelona.

This is one of Barcelona’s most popular and impressive sites. This cathedral is the life work of Spanish artist Antonio Gaudi who devoted his life to building this magnificent neo gothic church. The spires on this church look like melting candles dripping with wax. This church is like no other in the world. See if you can spot the Christmas tree which is hiding amongst the detail

This is the most amazing cathedral I've ever seen! Gaudi started building Sagrada Familia in 1882 and it's expected that work won't be completed until 2020! Every surface is covered in mosaics and it's absolutely gorgeous. You can expect to see a lot of scaffolding here (especially inside) since it's been a work in progress for over 100 years, but that still doesn't take away from it's splendor. Ride the elevator to the top of the towers for a great view of Barcelona and to see the details up close. Just incredible!

This church is still being built. It was designed by Gaudi but is still no where near finished. It is very intricate and elaborate and will be amazing when it is finally done. Your entrance fee goes to help pay for the construction, which is rather neat. Worth stopping in. I know that I will pop in the next time I'm in barcelona, to see if I can notice any progress.

Il s'agit d'un très bel édifice. C'est une œuvre inachevée de l'architecte Gaudi. La livraison était prévue pour 2020, mais actuellement on parle officiellement de 2026, centenaire de la mort de Gaudí. Le Temple est d'ores et déjà inscrit sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de l'Unesco.

Originally designed by Antoni Gaudí (1852 – 1926), who worked on the project for over 40 years, devoting the last 15 years of his life entirely to the endeavor, the project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. On the subject of the extremely long construction period, Gaudí is said to have remarked, "My client is not in a hurry." After Gaudí's death in 1926, work continued under the direction of Domènech Sugranyes until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Parts of the unfinished church and Gaudí's models and workshop were destroyed during the war by Catalan anarchists. The present design is based on reconstructed versions of the lost plans as well as on modern adaptations. Since 1940 the architects Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluís Bonet i Gari and Francesc Cardoner have carried on the work. The current director and son of Lluís Bonet, Jordi Bonet i Armengol, has been introducing computers into the design and construction process since the 1980s. Mark Burry of New Zealand serves as Executive Architect and Researcher. Sculptures by J. Busquets, Etsuro Sotoo and the controversial Josep Subirachs decorate the fantastical façades. According to the newspaper El Periódico de Catalunya, 2.26 million people visited the partially built church in 2004, making it one of the most popular attractions in Spain. The central nave vaulting was completed in 2000 and the main tasks since then have been the construction of the transept vaults and apse. Current work (2006) concentrates on the crossing and supporting structure for the main tower of Jesus Christ as well as the southern enclosure of the central nave which will become the Glory façade. Recently, the Ministry of Public Works of Spain (Ministerio de Fomento in Spanish), has projected the construction of a tunnel for the high speed train just under where the principal façade of the temple has to be built. Although the ministry claims that the project poses no risk to the cathedral, the engineers and architects of the temple disagree as there are no guarantee that the tunnel will not affect the stability of the building. A campaign is being waged by the Sagrada Família preservation society (Patronat de la Sagrada Família) and the neighbourhood association AVE pel Litoral. [edit]

This cathedral has been in construction for over 120 years and the TEN highest towers have yet to be built. The inside is like nothing else in the world with columns that branch out like trees and the most brilliant stained glass I've ever seen. Every square inch of this place is astonishingly beautiful, completely unforgettable, and utterly unlike anything else you'll ever see in your life. When it's finished it WILL be the most amazing thing on earth. As far as I'm concerned, it already is.

An amazing Cathedral, in what's called a Neo-Gothic style, Gaudi has tied in a modernish representation of the life and death of Jesus as well as integrating the natural designs found in nature into this magnificent building. Buyer beware, the inside is really nice, but the price to go in is high and there was a 3 hour wait to go up the towers and an additional 2 euro cost. 

Actually not a cathedral, but a church. Started by Gaudi, and carried on by several architects throughout the years. If they still allow it, take the stairs to claim to the top. Breathtaking views of the city from there. A must see, and must know because of the mystique surrounding this building.

The most amazing building that I've ever seen...it's like a child dream come true. Imagine the most collorful buidling from your childhood fantasies - and then come to Barcelona and visit Sagrada Familia to see is in real. Serously, I stoped breathing when I saw it for the first time..

The Sagrada Familia by Gaudi is the oldest incomplete THING in the world. Its completion is planned for 2017! It is a beautiful Cathedral but you can only get a good picture from postcards or posters as you can't remove the scaffolding when taking a picture yourself.

All I can say is WOW! I remember making sand castles at the beach with wet sand that I drizzled in streams onto the beach and did this for hours until it looked like spires upon spires of cool dried intricate sand. That's what this place looks like!! Amazing!

It is a breath taking work of art that has been in the making for decades and will continue to be for decades more. The building is like a giant sand castle in the middle of the metropolis Barcelona. How many animals and figures can you find???

Unbelievable, it conveys a deep faith and a fascinating symbolic message. I always loved the fact that Gaudi designed it so that it would be a few metres smaller than the hills next to Barcelona, because man's work can't be greater than God's.

I'm not even Christian and I was totally inspired by this amazing structure. This building is merging, instead of separating, God and his Earth. Its cool. The way he probably wanted us to worship.

Catalan architecture. It's breathtaking, especially, the statue of St Mary covering her eyes in front of the Crucified. This church won't be forgotten because it's totally different from churches around the world.

It justs looks awesome, the front of the church (the oldest part) is decorated with amazing features while the newest part of the building looks very modern and very creative. excellent photo op.

Gaudi was an amazing architect and designer. He actually died while building this location which is why it is not completed (yet, their are other people working on completing it). Beautiful!

Wonderful place but still under construction

It is the most amazing church I have ever seen, it really doesn't look like a church, more like Gaudi's dream land...and you can also dream there...I did :)

This place is amazing and you can see it from all over... You could walk around the church for hours and never see eavery little detail. So worth checking out.

Impressive masterpiece of architecture, ciseled in rock. A church as you will see nowhere in the world. You should climb inside the inner tower. Great view.

Great for a day trip in the city. Lots of other tourists if you miss Americans. I'm one of the minority that wish they'd finish the church!

absolutly amazing architecture. beautiful to see, how they still try to built the cathedral after gaudi's concept, even tho he already passed away.

A wonderfull piece of architecture, impressive and colorfull. Try to visit it with Alan Parsons Gaudi album on your ipod to feel the groove '^^

Smara me ovo...mnogo me smara...smorili ste me bre...sta vise da napisem...crkvetina koja nikako da se zavrsi...cekaju Gaudija, a lik riknuo...

Its AMAZING! At first you might think its a rock mountain but as you get closer you could see all the details Gaudi make on it.

This Cathedral is something dazzling: a huge sculptured down to the smallest detail. Personally, I remained with my mouth open.

It's a verry impressiv building. You can't imagine how tall it is if you see it only on pictures. Ypu must see this in reality !!!

Probably the most beautiful Cathedral in whole Europe. An amazing piece of architecture. In one of the Best cities in Europe!

Loving it, but the new parts have nothing to do with gaudi's original style, even when they respect the original structures

Fascinating building, beautiful architecture by Gaudi, worth speding hours just exploring it, inside and out. So much detail!

Feaking amazing... seriouslyy lol Well mabye not to the extent that is is "fecking" but its pretty cool.

I usually don't like sight seeing churches, but this is completely something else. Antonio Gaudi is a real genius!

Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece is one of the most incredible and memorable churches in the world. It...

This is worth visiting on the outside!!!!!! It is fucking beautifull, go and visit , and enjoy the architecture

Gaudi at his best, yh=this is an unfinished masterpiece, something of great beauty, yet still an enigma.

Creepy weird so cool, you can feel the subway cars shake the cathedral when they pass underneath.

very cool church but just the spirit of thecity is very cool, didnt know what place topick...

It's amazing place where everybode can feel the spirit of fabolous Barcelona's atmosphere

Piękna katedra, zresztą całe miasto jest ujmujące. Słońce, ludzie, atmosfera...niesamowite.

Schade, dass sie immer noch nicht fertig ist! Sie ist aber trotzdem sehr sehenswert

so interesting and historical you can't help but stand at aww to the genius of it

Simply AMAZING!

It is wonderful. Everybody has to see it when he/she is in Barcelona!!!!

Surprising, original, unique

Really makes you understand what an afford is needed to build an cathedral

absolutely amazing can't wait to go back in fifty years when its finished

absolutely stunnig...climg all the way up and dont forget your camera...

It was very nice ! too bad that it was filled with construction things

A must see! I was laughing when I noticed the high hanging fruits.

The Gaudi Cathedral is worth the visit if you are in Barcelona :D

It's a nice Cathedral - pity I couldn't go inside while being there

gaaf!! vanuit een cultureel oogpunt zeker een must om te zien!

it is an amazing place that no one visiting Barcelona should miss

The little art vendors that surround the cathedral are amazing!

Just an amazing view from the top, and a beautiful building.

Truly amazing building, a must for anybody in Barcelona

It's fantastic and shows how big is the genius of Gaudi

master piece of art where you cant really find these days