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Issue #267, Barcelona, Park Güell, La Familia Sagrada, October 22, 2024
Orion, ready for adventure, streets of Barcelona
Jon and Orion at the high point of Park Güell
October 22 was our last full day of our trip, in Barcelona.
Our tour of Basilica de la Familia Sagrada was delayed until 2pm, giving us some time to explore. I went off with with Orion, while Mom, Alex and Ursula went to the Barcelona Cathedral.
At first Orion said he was fine with whatever Mom and the Zehnders and I decided to do, but I could tell that he wanted to do something with me, so he and I struck off together, heading for a place he had yet to explore: Park Güell, which was an urban development project designed by Antonio Gaudi. We took the subway, which Orion was already expert in navigating.
Park Güell, top of public gathering area
Park Güell, pillard hall
Eusebi Güell was a Catalan industrialist, and his plan for the property was to make a housing development for the wealthy. The development of Park Güell was never finished, but a good deal did get done, and now it is a major tourist attraction.
Park Güell, stairway
Jon's sketch at Park Güell
There was a massive pillared hall with a public area above for gathering, all decorated with colorful tiles; an ornate staircase with a giant tiled dragon, and a square overlooking two unusual buildings. It was fun hanging out there, walking around and exploring with Orion, listening to parakeets enthusiastically chattering in the palm trees. I even did a sketch from the square, looking at a checkerboard tower and the Mediterranean sea beyond.
We headed down to the old town as we had a bit more time left; walked past the Cathedral where Orion pointed out clowns trying to rip off tourists with balloons, and then I got something for him to eat at a local shop. We headed back to the hotel for our 2 PM meeting with our group, as our plan was to go see La Familia Sagrada, Gaudi’s masterpiece, which is still under construction.
National Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona
Jon and Mom, La Familia Sagrada
First, though, we said goodbye to a Orion, who had to catch his plane soon back to Antibes. We also said goodbye to Alex and Ursula here. Orion’s plan was to hang out for a couple of hours before going to the airport, taking a swim at the hotel (and taking a shower in our hotel room as well). Our group, meanwhile, took our final tour of the trip, to see Gaudi‘s masterpiece. We made a brief detour, before reaching the cathedral, to survey Barcelona from the location of the National Art museum of Barcelona, which I'm sorry to have missed.
The work yet to be completed, La Familia Sagrada
One of the many examples of references to natural forms
There was an incredible buzz around la Familia Sagrada, with literally thousands of people there. As we approached, we could see a massive crane at the top, slowly continuing construction work, as much remains to be built.
Statues above the entrance
Stephen Snyder peering at the scale model, before we went inside
We had to walk through security, just like at an airport, and it took about 45 minutes just to get in. As we hung out outside, we looked at a scale model of the cathedral, and examined the exterior stonework, which interestingly, was only one of several styles: the front side was more classical, almost Rococo, while the other side (which we saw when we exited the interior) was modern, almost ‘cubist’ in style.
Harpist, entrance side, La Familia Sagrada
Entrance to the cathedral
The interior of La Sagrada Familia is the most mind-blowing of all the churches I’ve ever seen of this size. The space inside rises to dizzying heights and is wonderfully lofty, giving a feeling of soaring that one experiences in other Gothic cathedrals; but with more explicit references made to nature. For instance, the main pillars of the giant hall 'branch off' as they get higher, mimicking tree-trunks in a canopy of giant trees.
Yes, lizards and bees are represented here!
Lofty interior of La Familia Sagrada
The stained glass windows on either side are pure color, free of religious iconography, and let the light through in beautiful colors, all grouped in certain shades (yellows and greens on one side, blues, and greens on the other), and together they give off a completely ethereal feeling; a polychrome, light-infused space of human creation.
The color scheme of the stained glass windows, carefully planned out
Do these not look like tree trunks?
Throughout the cathedral there are references, of course, to Jesus and Christianity, but attention is also given to the pure essence of nature - colorful fruits on the outside towers; decorations of trees and birds in the entrance foyer, as well as the pure light which filters inside, all of which elicits a feeling of joy and celebration.
Yes, this was looking down into a mirror
The doors leading outside, opposite to where we had come in
In an unlikely twist, in 1926, Gaudi was killed by a tram while he was crossing the street. He was mistaken for a beggar and did not receive immediate medical attention. How tragic and unexpectedly unfortunate. The crypt at the bottom of the church is dedicated to him. He was, after all, an extremely devoted Christian.
The backside of La Familia Sagrada. The artistic styles are markedly different here, compared to the front.
Stairway to heaven?
Our tour of La Familia Sagrada was a success, and I’m so glad I got to see it. It was reaffirming; even flife-enhancing, even though I have major problems with Christianity.
Another example of fruit taking center stage
Fran dispensing one last bit of knowledge
I am amazed and fascinated by the spread of Christianity, the legacy of which has been problematic, to say the least. Take, for instance, what we have learned on this trip about the Cathars, and the Catholic Church’s power struggle in killing heretics. That is just one example of the power-play inherent in promoting a set of beliefs. Perhaps, though, La Sagrada Familia celebrates a truth that eclipses religion, and goes beyond it.
Judy Machen and Ursula Zehnder at La Penela
With our tour of La Familia Sagrada complete, our group headed back for one final night in Barcelona. We assembled in the lobby of the hotel for a wrap-up of our journey by Fran, where we had plenty of laughs, our group now intimate and familiar with each other.
Jon and Alex Zehnder
For dinner, we assembled at La Penela on Carrer du Pau Claris, a wine bar and tavern, for our farewell meal. Alex and Ursula were able to join Mom and I, and, together with our entire group, had a farewell meal. What a trip! Mom and I left the hotel early in the morning, and were soon on a flight across the ocean.
Barcelona airport. Goodbye, Spain!
Orion, ready for adventure, streets of Barcelona
Jon and Orion at the high point of Park Güell
October 22 was our last full day of our trip, in Barcelona.
Our tour of Basilica de la Familia Sagrada was delayed until 2pm, giving us some time to explore. I went off with with Orion, while Mom, Alex and Ursula went to the Barcelona Cathedral.
At first Orion said he was fine with whatever Mom and the Zehnders and I decided to do, but I could tell that he wanted to do something with me, so he and I struck off together, heading for a place he had yet to explore: Park Güell, which was an urban development project designed by Antonio Gaudi. We took the subway, which Orion was already expert in navigating.
Park Güell, top of public gathering area
Park Güell, pillard hall
Eusebi Güell was a Catalan industrialist, and his plan for the property was to make a housing development for the wealthy. The development of Park Güell was never finished, but a good deal did get done, and now it is a major tourist attraction.
Park Güell, stairway
Jon's sketch at Park Güell
There was a massive pillared hall with a public area above for gathering, all decorated with colorful tiles; an ornate staircase with a giant tiled dragon, and a square overlooking two unusual buildings. It was fun hanging out there, walking around and exploring with Orion, listening to parakeets enthusiastically chattering in the palm trees. I even did a sketch from the square, looking at a checkerboard tower and the Mediterranean sea beyond.
We headed down to the old town as we had a bit more time left; walked past the Cathedral where Orion pointed out clowns trying to rip off tourists with balloons, and then I got something for him to eat at a local shop. We headed back to the hotel for our 2 PM meeting with our group, as our plan was to go see La Familia Sagrada, Gaudi’s masterpiece, which is still under construction.
National Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona
Jon and Mom, La Familia Sagrada
First, though, we said goodbye to a Orion, who had to catch his plane soon back to Antibes. We also said goodbye to Alex and Ursula here. Orion’s plan was to hang out for a couple of hours before going to the airport, taking a swim at the hotel (and taking a shower in our hotel room as well). Our group, meanwhile, took our final tour of the trip, to see Gaudi‘s masterpiece. We made a brief detour, before reaching the cathedral, to survey Barcelona from the location of the National Art museum of Barcelona, which I'm sorry to have missed.
The work yet to be completed, La Familia Sagrada
One of the many examples of references to natural forms
There was an incredible buzz around la Familia Sagrada, with literally thousands of people there. As we approached, we could see a massive crane at the top, slowly continuing construction work, as much remains to be built.
Statues above the entrance
Stephen Snyder peering at the scale model, before we went inside
We had to walk through security, just like at an airport, and it took about 45 minutes just to get in. As we hung out outside, we looked at a scale model of the cathedral, and examined the exterior stonework, which interestingly, was only one of several styles: the front side was more classical, almost Rococo, while the other side (which we saw when we exited the interior) was modern, almost ‘cubist’ in style.
Harpist, entrance side, La Familia Sagrada
Entrance to the cathedral
The interior of La Sagrada Familia is the most mind-blowing of all the churches I’ve ever seen of this size. The space inside rises to dizzying heights and is wonderfully lofty, giving a feeling of soaring that one experiences in other Gothic cathedrals; but with more explicit references made to nature. For instance, the main pillars of the giant hall 'branch off' as they get higher, mimicking tree-trunks in a canopy of giant trees.
Yes, lizards and bees are represented here!
Lofty interior of La Familia Sagrada
The stained glass windows on either side are pure color, free of religious iconography, and let the light through in beautiful colors, all grouped in certain shades (yellows and greens on one side, blues, and greens on the other), and together they give off a completely ethereal feeling; a polychrome, light-infused space of human creation.
The color scheme of the stained glass windows, carefully planned out
Do these not look like tree trunks?
Throughout the cathedral there are references, of course, to Jesus and Christianity, but attention is also given to the pure essence of nature - colorful fruits on the outside towers; decorations of trees and birds in the entrance foyer, as well as the pure light which filters inside, all of which elicits a feeling of joy and celebration.
Yes, this was looking down into a mirror
The doors leading outside, opposite to where we had come in
In an unlikely twist, in 1926, Gaudi was killed by a tram while he was crossing the street. He was mistaken for a beggar and did not receive immediate medical attention. How tragic and unexpectedly unfortunate. The crypt at the bottom of the church is dedicated to him. He was, after all, an extremely devoted Christian.
The backside of La Familia Sagrada. The artistic styles are markedly different here, compared to the front.
Stairway to heaven?
Our tour of La Familia Sagrada was a success, and I’m so glad I got to see it. It was reaffirming; even flife-enhancing, even though I have major problems with Christianity.
Another example of fruit taking center stage
Fran dispensing one last bit of knowledge
I am amazed and fascinated by the spread of Christianity, the legacy of which has been problematic, to say the least. Take, for instance, what we have learned on this trip about the Cathars, and the Catholic Church’s power struggle in killing heretics. That is just one example of the power-play inherent in promoting a set of beliefs. Perhaps, though, La Sagrada Familia celebrates a truth that eclipses religion, and goes beyond it.
Judy Machen and Ursula Zehnder at La Penela
With our tour of La Familia Sagrada complete, our group headed back for one final night in Barcelona. We assembled in the lobby of the hotel for a wrap-up of our journey by Fran, where we had plenty of laughs, our group now intimate and familiar with each other.
Jon and Alex Zehnder
For dinner, we assembled at La Penela on Carrer du Pau Claris, a wine bar and tavern, for our farewell meal. Alex and Ursula were able to join Mom and I, and, together with our entire group, had a farewell meal. What a trip! Mom and I left the hotel early in the morning, and were soon on a flight across the ocean.
Barcelona airport. Goodbye, Spain!
solo/group kukai
drawing/writing/photography
jonathan machen
drawing/writing/photography
jonathan machen