Barcelona Day 2 - Antoni Gaudi

Today was dedicated to Antoni Gaudi and I am going to let wiki help me a bit explaining this amazing man.  We will visit his Parc Güell (Güell commissioned Gaudi to create this urban setting) and the Sagrada Familia cathedral (actually a minor Basilica) among other Gaudi structures.   

"Wiki" says:  "Gaudi's work was influenced by his passions in life: architecture, nature, and religion.  He considered every detail of his creations and integrated into his architecture such crafts as ceramics, stained glass, wrought ironwork forging and carpentry. He also introduced new techniques in the treatment of materials, such as trencadís which used waste ceramic pieces."

Gaudi, when asked about his inspiration for his architectural style:  "Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator. There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Therefore, buildings must have no straight lines or sharp corners."

Parc Güell

After visiting Gaudi's Parc Güell , I would have said his works included shiny broken pieces of smooth colorful tile pieces juxtaposed to crude earthy rocky material to create whimsical and fascinating structures. 

The first pics are of a retaining wall and a detail of this wall.  Can't figure out (even after some research) how this is structurally possible with all those small rocks functioning in strength)

Same thought about this promenade - be sure to look at the ceiling in this structure....Guess it must be structurally strong as it has been standing for almost 100 years, but it looks like a pile of rocks to me....

Fun brick and rock wall with purple wisteria accenting it.

Just fascinating how he used broken tiles vs local rocks to create patterns and interest.  And as you can see he does not like straight lines.

Large sitting area with wide open spaces for gathering and looking at the views.  There is seating spaces all around this open area with the broken tile motif decorating the seats and seat backs.  Notice that this whole area is being supported by large pillars and later pictures will show those pillars as we stand beneath this large open space.  

Gaudi's Casa Mila - The name, 'Casa Milà' comes from the fact that it was the new home of the Milà family. The couple occupied the main floor and rented out the other apartments

(Above is a stock photo....)

Gaudi's Casa Batllo - A remodel of a previously built house, it was redesigned in 1904 by Gaudí and has been refurbished several times after that.  Josep Battllo wanted an architect that would design a house that was like no other and stood out as being audacious and creative. (think he got that!!) Both Josep and his wife were open to anything and they decided not to limit Gaudí.  The roof is supposed to resemble a dragon.  The balonies look like masks/

The church of Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) - La Sagrada Familia is one of Gaudi's most famous works in Barcelona. It's a giant Basilica that has been under construction since 1882 (that's not a typing error) and it's not expected to be completed for some time yet....the current architect in charge is hoping to complete by 2030.

Relying solely on private donations, the Sagrada Familia's construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. In July 1936, revolutionaries set fire to the crypt and broke their way into the workshop, partially destroying Gaudi's original plans, drawings and plaster models, which led to 16 years of work to piece together the fragments of the master model. Construction resumed to intermittent progress in the 1950s. Advancements in technologies such as computer aided design and computerized numerical control (CNC) have since enabled faster progress and construction passed the midpoint in 2010. However, some of the project's greatest challenges remain, including the construction of ten more spires, each symbolizing an important Biblical figure in the New Testament. It was anticipated that the building would be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudi's death, but this has now been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Describing the Sagrada Familia, art critic Rainer Zerbst said "it is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art", and Paul Goldberger describes it as "the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages.  (Excerpts from Wikipedia)

Had to use stock photos because we had some photography "malfunctions" and did not get pictures of the church from afar.

This side of the building reminded me of mud drippings that I created as a child.

Remember that this cathedral is still an incomplete structure.  In the following model picture the grey areas are completed and the yellow areas need to be completed.  Lots of work to be done still!

Detailing from the "mud drippings" on the front.  The details are well thought out and so much...but just wanted to give you an idea of the intricacy of this portion of the church.  In the center you can see Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.  This is the Nativity and life of Christ façade and entrance into the basilica.

The magi coming to adore the baby Jesus

Inside the church is not as ornate but there are colored stain glass windows.  The windows on the sunrise side (east facing) of the church are in greens and blues and on the sunset (west facing) they are in oranges and reds.  We were there in the afternoon and you can see the windows full of light flooding that side of the church in color.  It was honestly transcending!  Beautiful.

Gaudi wanted the pillars to be as tree trunks (think indoor forest) and if you look upwards you can see he has depicted the trees' canopy above.

Do the pillars appear bowed?  Yep, they are.  Gaudi felt that nature suggested that this would be a stronger support...as in humans withstanding rocking...they are much more secure with their legs apart than straight underneath them.  (Ask all of us after coming off a bit of a rocky Atlantic crossing!  We can attest to this theory)

Finally as we left the tour we actually left through what will become the entrance to the church.  The doors are brass with words from the bible and he has some of the words accented in gold for emphasis:  Jesus and garcies (Latin for favor, blessing)

Straight up from this entrance door is Jesus hanging on a cross - pretty powerful walking under this and looking up and seeing him.  Yes, he is naked and he has a book on his head.  I think that book symbolizes John's first words in his gospel:  

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. "

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Also, note the face of Jesus - an indented image in stone.  This face (not just the eyes, the whole head) turns and follows you wherever you move.  Wow!

In better words than I could come up with:

La Basilica de la Sagrada Familia has three facades. They’re dedicated to the birth (our tour entrance), passion, and glory of Jesus. During Gaudí’s life he only saw the crypt, apse, and part of the Nativity facade finished. Each holds biblical significance. The Nativity facade is the only one Gaudi designed alone. This side shows Jesus’ birth to adulthood. The Passion and Glory facades arise from Gaudi’s gorgeous sketches. They only existed in his mind and on paper during his lifetime. So, these drawings were his only direct input on the construction.

The Passion facade depicts Jesus’ sacrifice. It shows the Last Supper, Judas’ betrayal, and later the Resurrection. Then we see Jesus’ naked crucifixion. This is a rarity for consecrated structures. History notes that Jesus would be nude during crucifixion. It makes logical sense. But Gaudi had to get permission to do this. He wanted to show the impact and shame of the crucifixion. It was crucial to him as part of the ultimate sacrifice.

This church has so much meaning and thought and I only touched on portions that I could remember, but I feel it was one of the most moving and powerful churches dedicated to God I have ever been to.

This is the end of a wonderful and so memorable, albeit way too short, trip to Spain.  Thank you for joining us on this adventure.