Visitors to Barcelona flock to the city centre neighbourhood of Eixample with one main aim; to visit perhaps EuropeBs strangest cathedral - the CTemple Expiatori de la Sagrada FamiliaD. Easily seen from the air, towering above the square neighbourhood blocks, the Holy Family Cathedral is one of BarcelonaBs nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a masterpiece designed by Antonin Gaudi, the famous Catalan artist, whose keen eye and gifted hand was also responsible for 6 of the other UNESCO Sites. In 1883, Gaudi was commissioned to continue a project already started one year earlier by diocesan architect Franciso Villar.
The opposite side is the Crucifixion fa—ade, which was completed after GaudiBs death. Original plans were destroyed by rioters and antagonists during the civil war, and although this has been used as an excuse by current planning officials, one suspects that an architect never works with the same enthusiasm if itBs not their own work. As a consequence, this fa—ade has been designed by various leading world architects and pays homage to the rooftop chimneys of Casa Mila (also known as La Pedrera), which was another of GaudiBs unmistakeable constructions across town.
The fascinating museum in the crypt of the Cathedral included in the entrance fee has photos, details and, more importantly, scale models of what the Cathedral will look like when finished. With 18 towers, the highlight will surely be the central tower dedicated to Jesus, which will have a huge stained-glass window, giving an impressionable light to the altar, 170 metres below.
Sagrada Familia is a controversial building, and indeed has various organisations headed by extremely influential authorities in the world of Arts, culture and architecture who object at the variations in GaudiBs plans. Gaudi himself said that "The expiatory church of La Sagrada Famќlia is made by the people and is mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people.D And it is this very point that angers protesters. Rumours exist of many foreign corporations offering to finish the work due in rapid time, but all have been rebuffed, as this would go against GaudiBs wishes. The current funding comes from the foundation, donations and money from all other works by Gaudi in the city after overheads. For this reason progress is slow, and speculation about the completion date is a daily topic around the coffee shops and parks of Barcelona from residents and tourists alike. What is strikingly clear however, is that you absolutely must visit this unfinished masterpiece when you visit the city of Barcelona so that you can decide for yourself.
