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Barcelona, Spain


Our absolute highlight was the Basílica de la Sagrada Família or simply La Familia. Construction started in the 1880’s and it is scheduled for completion in 2026. It is the masterpiece and life’s work of architect Antonio Gaudi. The building is organic, audacious, crazy and brilliant and almost every detail came out of one man’s imagination.
The eastern façade was completed early in the construction and is more traditional in its appearance depicting 3 events from the life of Christ: Birth, Death and Resurrection.

The western facade is modern with sculptures depicting the passion of Christ.

These sculptures are the work of artist Josep Maria Subirachs and his team. They began in the 1990's and took over twenty years to complete them with each figure carved in situ.

The Familia is hard to photograph from the outside due to obstacles such as fences, trees, roads and people. Inside I found it impossible to capture the scale and feeling of light. I am not religious but this is truly a magnificent building.

Other highlights of Barcelona were:
The 1992 Olympic arena and surrounds.

The Mirador, its is a monument to Christopher Columbus and stands near the maria from where he left to discover the Americas.

Walking through the streets and finding the central market with its fantastic presentation and quality of produce.

Other Gaudi designed buildings: Casa Milla

and  Casa Batllo with its roof that remind me of a dragons back.


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