Our main objective of visiting Barcelona was to see, again, the Sagrada Familia but we had a couple of days to spare before the days of our tickets, booked months ago.

After changing our place to stay so that we were away from the very busy downtown, we wandered along the beach, and ate a wonderful pescatarian meal overlooking the sea side. Dodging the crowds on Las Ramblas we visited the Palau Guell one of Gaudi’s commissions. It is remarkable how he was able to use so many materials, forms and design elements but we wondered what it would have been like to live in one of his creations even though he did pay attention to details to enhance cooling and ventilation.

Likewise the Casa Batllo which has a nautical theme throughout: beautiful its own way but perhaps not entirely practical.

Paul had previously visited the Sagrada Familia in 2002 and we had both been there with Chris in 2007.
The building is now nearing completion and although the exterior is remarkable with three facades depicting the Nativity (the only one completed when Gaudi was alive) the Passion and the Gloria, the interior now feels whole. The columns of different stones and different colours soar towards the roof and it feels like being in a natural environment- truly Gaudi. The experience was enhanced by an audioguide with a virtual tour of parts that are not visible from below. There are no side chapels which means that the light from the stained glass windows flows in unimpeded. The colours of the windows are different on the east and west sides to complement the morning and afternoon light.
The outside entrances (facades) are each topped by four spires with sculptures of plant life. The building is then topped by six towers representing the four apostles, Mary with a star and the final and tallest one will be for Jesus. The exterior is very biblical while the inside is natural. The plans for the Gloria facade include a flight of steps that would require the clearance of three blocks of buildings to complete. Meanwhile it remains unfinished outside.