Toby and Allan Explore Spain 2015: Visit to Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and Jazz

Thursday February 26 was mainly cloudy and around 14C. Another good walking day. We spent the afternoon visiting Gaudi's masterpiece - the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family). The Basilica was the inspiration of a bookseller, Josep Maria Bocabella (1815-1892), the founder of the Spiritual Association of the Devotees of St. Joseph. After raising private donations, the construction of the crypt began on March 18, 1882, following a Gothic revival design of architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) took over in March 1883 and significantly changed the design to an incredible mix of Catalan Modernism, Art Nouveau and Gothic. At the time of his death in 1926 ( he was run over by a tram), the Basilica was only about 25% complete. Construction was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and many of Gaudi's models and drawings were destroyed in a fire set by anarchists during the war.

Construction resumed intermittently in the 1980s and has continued apace in recent years. There are three main facades- the Nativity (built before 1935 and bearing the most direct Gaudi influence), the Passion facade which began in 1954, with the towers completed in 1976. It's figures were designed by Josep Maria Subirachs (started in 1986) and are very different that the figures on the Nativity facade. The final facade- the Glory- commenced in 2002, but is far from complete.

The Basilica is now scheduled to be completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.

Alano and I visited Sagrada Familia in 1998, the last time we were in Barcelona. A lot of work has been completed in the last 17 years. There are many beautiful stained glass windows that are the work of Catalan artist Joan Villa Grau, who was commissioned to design the windows in 1999.

The interior is amazing. Gaudi had envisioned a forest of trees and the result is spectacular.
The church was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in November 2010 as a minor basilica.

Gaudi is buried under the nave.

View from the street

New construction next to old

Soaring towers--once completed this will be the highest church in the world

The Nativity facade, constructed between 1894 and 1930 is dedicated to the birth of Jesus. The facade is decorated in a naturalistic style, characteristic of Gaudi. Lots of symbolism and detail.

The three kings

Eternal tree with doves

Another scene from the Nativity facade

We then went inside. The combination of light coming through the beautifully coloured stained glass and the soaring forest of trees with palm fronds is spectacular.

The three predominant colours of the stained glass

Jesus Christ over the nave

Elaborate staircase

A look at the ceiling

Detail on a column with palm front

Area where services are conducted

The Passion facade on the other side of the building represents the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The figures designed by Josep Subirachs are sparse, stark and very much in an expressionist style. One of the figures is modelled after Gaudi. The work on the figures was done after 1986.

Jesus Christ on the cross

We wandered back into the interior to take a few more pictures of the soaring trees and ceiling.

Detail of knot in the tree

There was also one completed part of the cloister of Our Lady of the Rosary. Beautiful intricate design.

Part of Cloister

Construction began in 2002 on the third facade, the Glory facade, which will represent the road to God: Death, Final Judgment and Glory. This facade is still largely to be built. There will be a bronze door with the prayer "Give us this day our daily bread" in 50 languages.

The Sagrada Familia Schools constructed in 1909 by Gaudi for the children of the workers of the building and other children of the neighbourhood is located in one corner of the site. Both the walls and roof have a wavy form. The building has been an inspiration to many architects for its simplicity and unique design. It suffered damage during the Spanish Civil War and was dismantled and reconstructed in the 1940s. In 2002, the building was again dismantled and moved to the southern corner of the site.

Back to school

Alano under a Gaudi quote

Detail of school construction

Gaudi's work table

There was also a museum. It contained drawings, models and pictures associated with the history of the building of the Basilica. There was also a workshop where models are made. The scope of the project is overwhelming.

Model of bust of Gaudi for the Passion Facade (by Subirachs)

View of the Workshop

We took one last photo of the other side of the Basilica. The 2026 date may still be ambitious for the completion of this amazing building.

After leaving the Basilica, we wandered down one of the beautiful streets in the Eixample (Extension) area of Barcelona. I bought a skirt on sale (the Barcelona sales period ends this weekend) at a Barcelona designer's shop. David Vells has been designing for 30 years and was joined seven years ago by his daughter Ingrid. Very unique designs.

Outside of David Vells shop

More Catalan flags on the building

These buildings reminded us of Paris

We stopped for a coffee and then continued to walk back to our neighbourhood. There was a free jazz concert at the Born Cultural Centre that we wanted to catch at 8:00 p.m. We made it there just in time. There were over 130 people in a beautiful hall with tables and a stage. Luckily, the organizers put in some extra chairs and we were able to get seats.

The concert featured Eva Fernandez, a rising star of the Catalan jazz scene. She played the saxophone and sang. Her band was excellent featuring David Pastor on the trumpet, Jose Luis Guart on piano, Toni Pages on drums, and an excellent bassist.

The stage

Eva

The Band taking their bows

It was a enjoyable set in and a very nice venue. The concert ended at 9:30 p.m. and we then went for dinner at Cal Pep in our 'hood.

We had fond memories of Cal Pep, a Catalan restaurant featuring seafood. We sat at the bar (the best place to be) and were given suggestions on what to have. We started with bread with tomato, fried artichokes, a mixed seafood plate and our favourite, clams with small pieces of chorizo in a white wine sauce. We were fortunate at 10:00 p.m. to score seats at the bar.