Sagrada Família, Barcelona

Favorite thing: There are many places where buying advance tickets to see a place or take part in an event is essential in Spain. My experience with La Sagrada Familia was this was not necessary based on how quick the line moves. We arrived at La Sagrada Familia on a late April Sunday afternoon at just past noon. There was a long line that ran around two blocks. It looked daunting. However in fifteen minutes we had our tickets and were on our way inside.

The cost of purchasing tickets at servicaxia.com is just a little over 3 euros per person more than purchasing them directly at the ticket booth. For an adult admission was 11 euros while from sericaxia it was 14.30. While purchasing a ticket in advance does give you a specific time waiting in line shouldn't take that much time and will help save you some coin.

Favorite thing: Any trip to Barcelona wouldn't be complete without a visit to this architectural gem by Antoni Gaudi. You can enter the church, though the lines are long, and closely experience the wonderful details of the interior. Don't leave without taking a walk around the church to examine the nativity facade with its peculiar Christmas tree adorned with peace doves.

The best way to travel to the cathedral is by L1 metro line to the stop "Sagrada Familia". Upon exiting the metro stop you will have the impressing church above you which creates a wow-feeling.

Favorite thing: Sagrada Familia - This is the amazing, unfinished church designed by Gaudi. From the outside, it is quite a sight to see, but if you do go to church, you must climb up to the top. The view from the parapets over Barcelona is breathtaking. Be warned, it is quite a hike up some very steep stairs.

Favorite thing: Antoni Gaudi was one of the greatest representatives of Spanish Art Nouveau.
He designed not only buildings, but the inner spaces of his houses, street lamps and furniture etc. as well.
His unmistakable style characterized as organic architecture, often used Moorish, Gothic and Baroque elements, combining them with fabulous solutions in a special way: mushroom hat roofs, face-shaped windows, colorful mosaics from broken ceramic tiles, amazing works of a talented mind.
He could have been considered even a madman if the aldermen of Barcelona would have been somewhat more conservative, but instead of that many big orders were provided to him fortunately.

His largest, still unfinished work is the Sagrada Familia cathedral, the last great work of Spanish Catholicism. Legend has it that the plans so complex and ambitious, that the building can not be finished. "My client is not in a hurry" - Gaudi joked when he was asked about the scheduled deadline. At the moment it thought to be ready for the centenary of his tragic death in 2026.
It is an amazing architectural wonder and many people think it will be one of the wonders of the world once complete.

One of Gaudi's several surreal buildings in Barcelona, the secessionist house Casa Battlo which can be found under 43 Passeig de Gracia has been built according to the plans of Gaudi and of Josep Maria Jujol between 1905-1907. The house standing in one of the most distinguished quarters of Barcelona was being made for a middle-class family originally.
Looking at Casa Battlo it seems as if the main aim of designers was not other, than to avoid straight lines completely.

By the way Passeig de Gracia is the most beautiful and most imposing avenue of Barcelona, the Champs-Elysé of the Catalan city. Stretching from Avenida Diagonal to Placa Catalunya the best shops, businesses, restaurants, cafes and apart from Gaudi buildings (Casa Milà, commonly known as La Pedrera at 92, Passeig de Gracia) also other fantastic modernistic creations can be found here.

Website: http://www.gaudiallgaudi.com/AA002.htm

Favorite thing: A lot has been said and written of the very famous Gaudi monument. Right now ( 2007 ) heavy work is underway to complete the works left incomplete by Antonio Gaudi. Recently I had the chance to walkby to shoot a few pictures of the work going on from different angles. It is said that all will be through by the year 2020. Many people have their fingers crossed as the project is immense. Nobody ever misses this sight when in Barcelona. Are you going to miss it ?

Favorite thing: Barcelona deserves more of my time - My trip here was far too short and consequently I missed a great deal, but a good excuse for another trip in the future. I will continue to check the progress of the GREAT BUILDING = Sagradia Familia hopefully in person if not - Well on VT of course

Fondest memory: ART
GAUDI
LAS RAMBLAS
TEMPLE de la SAGRADIA FAMILIA
BARCELONA!!!!

Favorite thing: Over 100 years under construction !! ..Gaudi was the former builder and once he died other architect take over the mission to finnish it..but its seems a prank!! or a business because i guess after i will die the building will not being finnished !!
Gaudi has an iron believe in God (thats the reason of the building) and it was more or less as Bush ..in every sentence spoke by him the word God was in it ... but a tram cut his life when he already was very old

Favorite thing: No trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to La Sagrada Familia. Construction began in 1882, and Gaudi replace the original architect in 1883. It's still under construction today, as the work can only be financed by donations! The fact that you are viewing a combination of 100+ year old construction with brand new construction makes visiting la Sagrada Familia amazing.

Favorite thing: I know everyone probably goes here anyway, but do spend some of the day at La Sagrada Familia, you really won't regret it.

Fondest memory: Joining in with one of the street entertainers, and making a complete fool of myself !!!!!

Favorite thing: Gaudi's Cathedral...this is the new section of the building though...

The cathedral is open September & March from 9 am to 7 pm; January & February and October to December 9 am to 6 pm; April to August 9 am to 8 pm.

Favorite thing: Here you can see a view of The Temple of SAGRADA FAMILIA,designed by the famous Catalan Architect, Antonio Gaudí,in 1882,and not finished yet!

See my must see activities tips to see more pictures and some details of this beautiful temple.

Favorite thing: I visited La familia sagrada church, which is still incomplete. The time i went it still had cranes and scaffolds all over the place, but i managed to get some great pictures. For this picture, i asked a construction worker (a little smile and friendly waving does no harm to no one) to take it for me, cuz the blue light coming in was just that beautiful.

Fondest memory: climb on those towers; make sure you have comfy shoes!!

Favorite thing: Don't miss the delightful details, like this turtle at the base of a column of the Sagrada Familia. I recall spending time climbing the towers (not for the claustrophobic!) and being surprised along the way by the carvings and sculptures.

Favorite thing: Definitely one of my favorite things in Barcelona! Yes, you've heard it called Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece. It is unbelievable! Of, course you must climb to the top to see all the strange gargoyles along the way. See my must-see tips for more pics!

Favorite thing: Immerse yourself in Modernisme. This is the Nativity Facade: the most complete part of the church (1904). It has doorways representing Faith, Hope & Charity. The white doves represent the congregation.