La Sagrada Familia

"If you've seen one church, you've seen them all," is not a phrase that applies to Gaudi's mighty unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, the most iconic building in Barcelona and one of mankind's greatest architectural achievements. Epic in scale, the cathedral's towering spires are like something from the realm of fantasy and all around them are religious motifs in the modernist style of the maestro himself, Antoni Gaudi. Famously La Sagrada Familia is as yet unfinished, despite work starting in 1882, however the latest word is that it will be completed in time for the centenary of Gaudi's death in 2026. The cathedral is open everyday from 9am to 6pm Oct-Mar, and Apr-Sept until 8pm. Tickets 11 euros.

"recently took a guest to revisit La Sagrada and was re-blown away! The exhibition in the back (which I had bypassed last time) reveals Gaudi's inspirations from Mother Nature and its fascinating to look again at the cathedral with this knowledge... I couldn't understand all the technical architectural terms but his employment of science and physics from the natural world into man-made buildings is really impressive (can't believe he was the first to think of it!) and the guy was clearly a genius, even if his taste has been questioned by some. Unlike any other church in Europe... and for fear of spouting a cliche it really is a must-see in Barcelona"

DJ
Spain
Sep.26.2009
Overall rating 5/5

"A mind-blowing piece of handiwork, and a great tribute to the legendary Gaudi. Worth coming to Barcelona to see this church alone"

Big D
United Kingdom
May.14.2009
Overall rating 5/5