27/4 Sagrada Familia - Gaudi

Friday 27

We took 2 trips to lug the bags to the new hostel, Serendipity, where we were the first guests ever to check in, some 60 seconds before another woman. 8 hours later, nobody else is here but they were fully booked to start with. They only have 12 beds prepared and the common areas are gigantic. Everything is bright, roomy and sparkling freshly painted. We made the point that we would be writing their first review for Hostelbookers. They are a lovely Greek/Swedish couple and seem very happy with their hostel and lives generally.  They also have a dog, Diva – she has a nappy device.

We had avo/baguette for lunch and very nice it was. We then took off to the Sacred Family (Segrada Familia) basilica by Gaudi, an incredible building in the Gothic style that has been under construction since 1883. It is all soaring spires, squiggly bits and symbolic statuary featuring characters with square heads.

The inside was quite “normal” once you get used to the concept of being in a petrified forest of different coloured stone columns.

I found the inside modern looking and totally unique.  Gaudi loved nature and used it in his constructions.  The interior has columns that branch out like a tree supporting a ceiling that for all the world has the appearance of leaves.  Beautiful stained glass windows and a copper lined skylight over the altar that absolutely glows in the daylight. 

Only 2 of the outside walls are complete.  The one Gaudi almost completed which depicts the birth of Christ

 and on the opposite side is the more modern (almost art deco) looking ‘Passion’ or death of Christ side. 

Gaudi left detailed drawings and models of what this completed church should look like and maybe my Grandchildren will see it completed.

This simple building in the grounds of the church was built for the workmen's children as a school.

We then walked back to the hostel where Chris cooked a lovely dinner.