Category Archives: travel

Sagrada Familia — Interior Part 1


Sagrada Familía Columns Colored by Light

Sagrada Familía Columns Colored by Light

Antoni Gaudí died in 1926 just fifteen days shy of what would have been his 74th birthday.  What is arguably his greatest design may finally be completed on the 100th anniversary of his passing, and some 144 years after construction began.  A completion date of 2026 is the hope, anyway, but that may unfortunately slip by as much as two years.

Sagrada Familía "Trees"

Sagrada Familía “Trees”

Stepping into the Sagrada Familía is a bit like walking through a forest.  This is not by chance, as the columns reaching high overhead were specifically designed as a modernist interpretation of trees with outstretched branches.

Sagrada Familía Vaulted Ceiling

Sagrada Familía Vaulted Ceiling

Even the stained glass serve multiple purposes.  Not only do these magnificent windows let in light, they also splash a cacophony of color against the otherwise monotone “trees” supporting the vaulted ceiling above.  Joan Vila-Grau has been designing, piecing together, and installing windows for the Sagrada Familía since 1999, and some fourteen years later he still has quite a ways to go before completing this project.

Sagrada Familía

Sagrada Familía Stained Glass

Stained Glass Light Playing on Column

Stained Glass Light Playing on Column

In fact, there is absolutely nothing about this structure that fails to impress.  Even the stairways are remarkable in both their design and aesthetics.

Sagrada Familía Staircase

Sagrada Familía Staircase

We’ll continue our tour of this incredible design in Part 2 on Wednesday  Meanwhile, here is today’s photo gallery of the interior of the Sagrada Familía:

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Sagrada Familia — The Exterior


131 Years in the Making

131 Years in the Making

In our previous travels to Barcelona Ursula and I had strolled past the Sagrada Familia several times, but the crowds waiting to access the interior were daunting to say the least.  This time Ursula was determined that the sights within would no longer elude us.  She ordered tickets in advance with a reserved time.

Flowing Structure

Flowing Structure

There is so much to see of the interior that I will be presenting it in two parts, along with a more in-depth discussion of this fascinating basilica that has been under continuous construction now for the past 131 years, and which still has between 13 and 15 more years to go until completion.

For now, however, click on any image below to view a slideshow of the incredible details that decorate this unbelievable structure:

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Marveling at Marseille


Marseille Panorama

Marseille Panorama

After Aix-en-Provence and Cassis our Mercedes minivan returned us to Marseille where we first visited Palais Longchamp for some quick photos, then onward to the harbor.

Palais Longchamp

Palais Longchamp

At the harbor is where our little tour group temporarily separated for a little lunch and on-foot sightseeing.

Marseille

Marseille

Photo tip:  When travelling in Europe (and other places) remember to look well beyond photographing the ABCs (Another Bloody Castle/Cathedral/Church).  Look for interesting textures and colors presented by the more mundane and everyday:

Fishnet

Shutters

The Rowboat

After our group rejoined our next stop was high above Marseille — the stunningly beautiful Neo-Byzantine (hey, if it ain’t Baroque, don’t nix it) Notre-Dame de la Garde — which overlooks the entire area from a height of nearly 500 feet (150 meters).

Notre-Dame de la Garde overlooking Marseille

Notre-Dame de la Garde overlooking Marseille

The views from this exquisite basilica aren’t all outside, however.  The interior is equally stunning:

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Another sight awaiting you at the entrance to the harbor is Château d’If, famous as the prison which held Edmond Dantès in Alexander Dumas’ classic tale The Count of Monte Cristo.

Château d'If

Château d’If

And here for your viewing pleasure is today’s photo gallery.  Click on any image below to bring up the slideshow:

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