Gaudi

Gaudi. Gaudy or genius? I've seen his work in pictures and on TV but never really appreciated it till now. To see his work in person takes on another dimension. He is magnificent. What a genius. After arriving at our hotel (more like hostel) in Barcelona we had lunch at a restaurant downstairs. We had the most delicious paella, it was not yellow with saffron, it was black with squid ink. It was really good. We asked for directions on how to get to Sagrada Familia. It's easy on the subway. We emerged from the subway to see this massive piece of art. Wow! It is so beautiful, so amazing, so incredible. We saw the part that Gaudi finished and loved it. As to be expected, it was crowded, everybody was in awe. The intricacies of his stone work has no parallel. It is mind boggling to think a man can dream this up and actually inspired other artisans to bring it into fruition. As everybody knows, he never lived to finish this church, he was struck down by a tram in Barcelona and died of his injuries. The church, after 100 years remain unfinish. Construction has recently begun to finish this church. The rest of the building is very modern.

There are cranes everywhere as construction to finish the church is in full swing, they are attaching the modern interior and back facade to the existing Gaudi part.

This is the new back facade, so modern. Gaudi's work cannot be replicated.

The back

The interior, based on Gaudi's vision and plans. It is still not finished.

Over the next few days we were to see other Gaudi projects all around Barcelona. They were magnificent too, so unusual. We only saw the facade and there will be plans in the future to return to Barcelona so we can see the interiors. From pictures that I have seen the interiors are as amazing.