If
there would be only one thing I could do in Barcelona, it would be a
visit to Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, in fact it would be worth a trip
alone. The Sagrada Familia is a most beautiful, astonishing and
breathtaking monument to nature, and a most joyous and awe inspiring
place to be.
Gaudi's
plans and visions for the construction, function and decoration of the
church were entirely based on the organic forms and shapes of nature,
while inventing ground breaking structural designs based on his studies
of plants.
The
immensely tall supporting columns follow the natural weight
distribution of trees, branching out when rising to/reaching the
ceiling. Whether indoors or outdoors, there are no flat surfaces or
straight lines.. instead, the structural and ornamental shapes resemble
those of plants, animals, minerals or planetary systems. Stair cases
look like giant snail shells, while local flowers and native wildlife
are part of the decorations and detail. Light is captured and reflected
through a
double roof, and
streams through numerous large windows, recreating the effect of
sunlight pouring through the branches of a forrest.
The basilica's inner forrest, with 'tree' columns stretching towards a starry sky
Nativity façade with sculpted ivy bronze doors
Amidst
the bronze ivy leaves you find sculpted bumble bees, earthworms, lady
bugs and lizards. A little opening in the door allows a lizard to see
the inside of the church. How can one not adore a building which gives
such consideration to a small creature!
The
construction started in 1893, and it is still work in progress. The
building of the Glory façade only just began, and the tallest towers
(which will almost double the church's height) are yet to
be added. The estimated
completion date is 2026.
Clockwise
from left: A glowing canopy with a latin cross (Gaudi's only concession
to traditional church design) and decorated with vines is suspended
above the raised altar. Holy water basin, made from a giant oyster
shell. Ceiling detail
Capsule
pieces: Sky blue linen shirt (here available online) with off-white pants.
Accessories: Hermès 'Mytiques Phoenix' cotton Pareo, Karla bracelet in caramel and Kelly 35 in etoupe.
Shoes: off-white Superga canvas sneakers
Incredible progress has been made since the last time we visited, in 2009
Sagrada Familia: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona. To avoid queues, you can pre-book your tickets online: here
Part IV of the Barcelona travelogue (final part) to come soon.
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Kind of sort of figured out this fantastic architectural specimen would garner a post of its' own!
ReplyDeleteI love the little lizzie peeking inside...all of God's creatures deserving of a peek!
So, cool are your pictures of the progress side by side! Such progress has been made in really a short amount of time given the task at hand.
Speaking of cool, you are the epitome of cool, darling friend, as you have changed very little in your comparison pics! Now that's pretty cool!
Excited to see what you have in store for us next! As always, thank you for taking us along!
Big hugs, T xx
In looking back at these pictures, the transformation since 2009 is truly astounding! All sorts of images are playing in my head as I scroll thru. While I know a little about this man and his architecture, I am itching to know more! Thank you!
DeleteNow you, beautiful one, also grow more beautiful with added years,too! Your smile tells it all!
Love and gratitude, T xx
And you have the coolest ideas, my darling friend! Brilliant thinking to get Jerrine as our writer on board. I am all for it!! The history of the church and architect is absolutely fascinating.... it would make a great movie or documentary. Hope you are enjoying a lovely and happy weekend! Biggest mwahs. xx
DeleteGorgeous! The architecture is fascinating and your ensembles are so chic!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, happy you enjoyed the post!
DeleteI was so hoping that it would be the Sagrada Familia. How could it not be? It has to be considered one of the greatest and most fanciful and totally emotional pieces of art ever put on this earth. How could one not have a gut wrenching, physical and emotional response when entering this masterpiece? There are simply no words for its magnificence and its reverence for the natural world.
ReplyDeleteEvery detail is astounding, and as great as the tree support columns are, as well as the light and the color and the sculpture, it's the little lizard that got to me - that lowly little lizard with his very own portal to all that magnificence and holiness.
You did a fabulous job capturing its joy and unique beauty for all of us, and I well remember your post back in 2009. Yes, great progress and changes have been made, but you have remained as you were six years ago, perhaps even better.
Thanks for this great gift of the Sagrada Familia. I think Gaudi would appreciate it, too. I read that he was so immersed in his work there and so emotionally involved with his labor of love that he actually slept in the church in a small bed in the corner of the construction site. He would not leave it even for a night.
Many thanks,
Jerrine
Jerrine and MT, a perfect one,two punch! MT and her outstanding photo skills and detailed descriptions coupled with Jerrine's elegant embellishments make for a perfect box set suitable for sale on Amazon! I know I would buy it!
DeleteThank you both!
Big hugs, T xx
Awwww, Trudye, I am touched, and of course, I'd be happy to be combined with MT in an Amazon boxed set.
DeleteThe first set will go to you . . . gratis, of course.
Love,
Jerrine
Jerrine, I will be happy to do the "press tour" for the project.
DeleteMT, this is one your most breathtaking posts! You've captured this wonderfully spiritual cathedral in all of it's glory. Your attentive eye caught the whimsical little details (the 'lil lizard!) that could easily be overlooked admist the grandeur.
....and I love the details of your equally lovely look!
BTW, what is your secret anti-aging potion?!
thanks, haverford. After all, a girl can't have too much good press!
DeleteBest,
J.
Darling Jerrine, Your descriptions are so very elegant, beautiful and evocative... Trudye is right, you should write a book! I'd be honored to provide the visuals. Trudye will be our producer, and haverfordgirl the press attaché! There will of course be a lot of travelling and research involved, and FUN! And since it's a BIG production, there will be jobs for every swan in LeSalon! What do think? Please say yes!!! Much love x
DeleteFabulous pictures showing the progress of the new chaptel into the cathedral .
ReplyDeleteContrary to you who stayed the same beauty between 2009 and 2015....
Amities
Aww, too kind of you, chère Monica! Hope you are having a wonderful time in Barcelona right now!
DeleteDearest Mai Tai,
ReplyDeleteYour description of the Sagrada Familia is fabulous and you really captured its beauty and magnificence! I believe that the efect ot the light inside of the basilica is magical and quite unique.
It was so interesting to see the development made in the last 6 years! You, my dearest Mai Tai, remain as beautiful, if not even more beautiful! <3
How thoughtful of you to capture the little lizard peeking inside the church. :-)
Thank you for this beautiful and very useful travellogue. Wamest hugs, Manuela xx
So happy you enjoyed the trip to the Sagrada Familia, my dearest Manuela! A truly astonishing leapse has been made in the church's construction in the past six years, I couldn't belive my eyes! The little lizard was such a lovely touch.. one of hundreds of wonders, big and small, in this magical place <3 Hugs xx
DeleteChère Maitai
ReplyDeleteMerci de ton descriptif très fourni de la sagrada que j'avais vue en 2006 que de changements que d'évolution de plus en plus belle de plus en plus magique
Par contre toi tu n'as pas changée en 6 ans tu est toujours aussi fabuleuse Bravo!!!!!!!!!
Bises et belle fin de semaine un peu trop ventée a mon gout
Myriam
Très chère Myriam, merci beaucoup pour les beaux compliments <3 Passe un très beau weekend, malgré le Mistral... chez nous, il a soufflé sans arrêt cette semaine! Bises
DeleteI'm speechless- your description of the archtitecture is so precise and just to the point- if you're looking for another job...there you go! Together with the artistic pictures I will save it as my personal travel guide for the next visit. How lucky I am:) Even better - I also saw the cathedral last in 2009, so I really appreciate your side-by-side pictures. The work progress is amazing and the overall impression is completely different - which is so not true for yourself:))) No visible age progress! That's real beauty...
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the next part! And thanks, Jerrine, for your background information!
Hugs,
Katja
I was speechless too, dearest Katja! The place just blew me away, and as you say, it couldn't have been more different from when we both saw it in 2009 (how fun to have been there in the same year as you, hasn't time just been flying since then?). The light inside is extremely lovely and soft, and works true wonders on the complexion ;-) xx
DeleteWonderful travel adventure I have been going on with you around Barcelona, as it has been such a long time since I was there myself and has been so wonderful to see the progress of the Magical SF, simple love your birthday gift bracelet also may I ask how do you find it on the wrist does it have weight similar to the Kelly dog?
ReplyDeleteHave a good week ahead
Jane x
Thank you for coming along, dearest Jane! Hope you'll enjoy the final part, and that you can go back to Barcelona one day soon. Re the braclet.. the Karla is lightweight, and weighs just a little bit more than the Kelly Dog (KD is 19 gramm, the Karla is 29 gr). The KD has a looser fit, the Karla's wrist circumference is 17cm. Hope this helps, and have a lovely weekend! x
DeleteStunning! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful photos and narrative - I just have to visit one day. Looking forward to the final part.
ReplyDeleteHappy you enjoyed the post, thank you. Hope you can visit one day soon!
DeleteThis post completely captivated me. I had no idea such a structure existed on this earth. Jerrine described the effect so eloquently, and the little lizard with its own view of heavenly delights seems to have touched us all. Thank you so much, dear MaiTai, for sharing this wonder with us. I especially enjoyed seeing the progress from 2009 to 2015. You look, if anything, younger and fresher today than you did then!
ReplyDeleteWith much heartfelt aloha,
Fifi
Fifi, you are most kind. You get one of Trudye's boxed sets, too!
DeleteLove to you,
Jerrine
Awww, thanks, Jerrine! My provincial eyes have been opened since discovering this blog. And now Barcelona is added to my wish list. How delightful it would be to travel the world!
DeleteHugs,
Fifi
Fifi, I would happily be your travel mate. Maybe we could talk Trudye and MT into coming along, too. Wouldn't we have a ball? The noise from all the chattering would be deafening!
DeleteReturn hugs,
Jerrine
PS - When you're in the South of France this coming winter, you really should consider a little side jaunt to Barcelona. It's really not that far, and when you're on the highways in the southwestern part of Provence, you actually see signs for Barcelona. I was quite shocked the first time I saw them. I was sure I was going to end up in the wrong country.
Sounds like a plan Jerrine! What merry mischief we would make!
DeleteCounting my frequent flyer miles as we speak!
Happy weekend to all,
T xx
Count me in, dearest friends!!! Merry mischief indeed!!
DeleteFifi, couldn't agree more with you on Jerrine's writing... hers is the finest, wittiest and most elegant I know!
Have a fabulous weekend, dear lovely swans xx
I'm in full agreement with all comments above!! I, too, was so hoping for a single La Sagrada Familia post :) Your photos and text exceeded my hopes!! This post reminds me of traveling with 3 dear girlfriends about 15 years ago. We visited many amazing places in a short period of time and finally realized we'd run out of adjectives! We decided then we needed just sound effects to try to express our joy, awe, and state of being overwhelmed by beauty. I can't spell those sounds, but please know I'm hearing them in my head...mmm, hmmm, mmm, mmm....thank you for the wonderful reminder!! (And please know the 2015 photo of you falls into the sound effect category too! Stunning!!)
ReplyDeletexoxox,
kendal
What fun your trip must have been, dear Kendal! Your sweet comment made me laugh, there was a point where I lost my speech too, ending up wandering around ohh-ing and awwh-ing !! Hope you and your friends can make a revival trip one day soon, and have a lovely weekend! xx
DeleteThese images are so gorgeous…now I have another bucket list vacation! You look so chic and perfectly dressed for the sites!! Happy travels!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hope you'll be visiting Barcelona one day soon!
DeleteDid I see a new member in your family? Welcome Ms Kelly Etoupe!
ReplyDeleteBy the way I really enjoyed the visit, I love la Sagrada Familia (Ladies I'm not only focussed on H bags!) and I'm jealous because you look younger every year!
XX Catherine
Oups .... my head is in the clouds .... Ms Kelly is an oldie but llike you it looks brand new ;-))))
DeleteC.
Chère Catherine, Ms Kelly is so thrilled to be still passing as new! But you are right, I've had her for several years. I am thrilled too, although not quite as well preserved as her ;-) Have a lovely weekend! xx
DeleteIt is now official. It is possible to look spiffy wearing sneakers while sight-seeing in a city. This shouldn't thrill me so much, but it does. All of your other posts that I have seen of you in NYC and Paris show you wearing proper shoes. Like Roger V. Which I don't find comfortable. But now I will wear my sneakers without fear of being a fuddy-duddy.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love wearing sneakers! Your comment made me realize that sneakers have been under-represented in my posts :-) Canvas versions are always chic, and so easy to take care off. Happy walking!
Deletelove these photos and you look ageless and pretty x
ReplyDeleteThank you, dearest FF xx
DeleteLove the sneaker and 7/8 pants look! Do you wear ever wear socks with them? I find it more comfortable with socks. Barbara xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara! Re your question, I never wear socks with my sneakers. Supergas are truly comfortable, and machine wash easily :-)
DeleteP.S. Your DS is missing in 2015! Must be in boarding school? Tell him we miss him! Barbara xxx
ReplyDeleteHe was with us!! It's very rare that the Easter holidays coincide with my birthday, but this year they did!
DeleteSuch a moving post, with the glorious and the touching side by side. My mother fell in love with Sagrada Familia when she saw it in the 1950s, even though she did not live long enough to see the incomparable interior. I was blown away by its grace and grandeur when I saw it for the first time two years ago. There's something thrilling about the idea that these beauties will keep on unfolding till at least 2026. For a structure that calls to mind sunlit groves and expanding galaxies, this stately pace is exactly right. Your post captures so many beauties, including the shimmer of time. Superbly done!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Azalie
Thank you for sharing this glimpse back in time, dearest Azalie! I think in the 50s the Nativity façade looked pretty much the same as today, so I can imagine how enthralled your mother must have been! Hope we'll all be able to go back again before 2026! xx
DeleteBreathtaking! Totally amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, glad you enjoyed the post!
DeleteWhat a gifted photographer you are, to capture the exquisite details as well as the majesty of the Sagrada Familia! I'm loving this travel post and can't wait for the third installment.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, dearest Annie! Photography has become more and more a passion, so glad you liked the pics.
DeleteBonjour MaiTai,
ReplyDeleteMagnifiques photos !
I did not have the chance to visit the Sagrada Familia (I went around only last year), so I really love your pictures, it show really the beauty of Gaudi's genius! Thank you!
Merci, ESP! Very much hope you'll have the chance to visit next time!
DeleteWhat beautiful photos you took, as always - thank you for sharing! Barcelona's a lovely place to celebrate a birthday; my husband and I celebrated dual birthdays there in 2005. It's wonderful to see the progress on la Sagrada Familia since then - thanks especially for doing the comparison shots to show the differences!
ReplyDeleteKristen
So very happy to know the post brought back memories of your special stay, dear Kristen! In 2005 the church must have looked so different yet again... Hope we'll all spend another birthday or two in Barcelona!
Delete