12 days in Spain & 4 days in Paris- 9/12/14- 9/9/28/14

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

 

Barcelona- Day 3- Sagrada Familia (Holy Family Church)

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família commonly known as the Sagrada Família, is a large Roman Catholic church. It was designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). Although not finished, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in November 2010 was consecrated and made a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI.

This is Gaudí most famous and unfinished super sized church with a funky design.   The church is not only a icon of Barcelona but it is also represent a Modernists style.  Gaudi's foundations were classics, nature, and religion and this church represent all tree.

Though building of the Sagrada Família had begun in 1882, Gaudí started working on it in 1883, taking over the project and worked on it for 43 years until his death in 1926.

By the time of his death less than a quarter of the building was finished.

The Sagrada Família's building moved slowly as it needed on private donations and was temporarily stopped by the Spanish Civil War, only to start again in the 1950s. Building was more than halfway done after 2010 and has an expected finish date of 2026–100 years after Gaudí's death.

 

We could not buy tickets online as our US credit card does not have a code so we were thinking of buying tickets when we get there and to our surprise all tickets were sold out.

This is in September and the tourists season is over and still there are a lot of people visiting the church.

Since I can't get in, I am just contend to stand in front.

 

Close look at one of the many entrances of the church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see there are still lots of work to be done before completion.

 

Colorful mosaics that looks like fruits to me.

The colorful mosaics are definitely not what you expected to see on top of a  church.

Next, we decided to walk Casa Milà, another famous work by Gaudí which is about 30 minutes by foot.

Hoa took a few pictures of really nice buildings as we were walking along.

Really nice facade.. bet you it cost a fortune to rent here.

 

You can't tell but I had a mild case of food poisoning the night before and it was very uncomfortable.

However, after resting for most of the morning I was restless and wanted to see the city.  I did not have much energy and I was moving a  really slow pace but at least I got to see the most iconic church in Spain.

 

Casa Milà also known as La Pedrera meaning the "The Quarry", is a modernist building and was the last civil work designed by Antoni Gaudí. It  was built between the years 1906 and 1910 and was commissioned in 1912 by businessman Pere Milà i Camps and his wife Roser Segimon i Artells. At the time, it was very controversial because of the bold undulating stone facade and twisted wrought iron balconies and windows.

Architecturally it is considered an innovative work by having a structure of columns and floors free of load bearing walls. Similarly, the front made of stone is also self-supporting.

In 1984, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

 

The facade is composed of large blocks of limestone.

 

 

You can buy tickets to get and I was told it is worth it but I was not feeling to well so we skip it.

Balcony with intricate iron work

 

Tourists are dropped off by bus just in front of the building.

Tickets to get in are €16.50 euros (not cheap) and there are lot people lining up to get in.

 

This is a building next to Casa Mila during construction. 

They put a mock facade to show how the building will look like by the time it is done.  Looks like it is going to mimic Casa Milà.

 

A Louis Vuitton store close by.

 

For Dinner we stopped by Bar Del Pla which was recommended by Rick Steve.  We did not have a reservation and we got there around 7:30PM which is very early for Dinner in Spain and fortunately they were able to accommodate us. The place was very empty as local do not start their dinner until 9:00PM

 Bar Del Pla is a local favorite restaurant close to the Picasso Museum but far enough from all the tourists and it is frequently mostly by local.

We had the best salad there and there food were pretty delicious.

 

Next.. San Sebastian

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