Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
uniquely, intensely personal one and that it's folly (if not disrespectful) for anyone to try
to guess what Gaudí would have intended. Studying the various plans and models in the
museum below the church, it's clear that Gaudí's plan evolved dramatically the longer he
worked. Is it appropriate to keep implementing a century-old vision that can no longer be
modified by its creator? Discuss.
• Pass through the ticket entrance into the complex, approaching closer to the...
Passion Facade:
Judge for yourself how well Gaudí's original vision has been car-
ried out by later artists. The Passion Facade's four spires were designed by Gaudí and com-
pleted (quite faithfully) in 1976. But the lower part was only inspired by Gaudí's designs.
The stark sculptures were interpreted freely (and controversially) by Josep Maria Subirachs
(b. 1927), who completed the work in 2005.
Subirachs tells the story of Christ's torture and execution. The various scenes—Last
Supper, betrayal, whipping, and so on—zigzag up from bottom to top, culminating in
Christ's crucifixion over the doorway. The style is severe and unadorned, quite different
fromGaudí'ssignatureplayfulness.Butthebone-likearchwaysarecloselybasedonGaudí's
original designs. And Gaudí had made it clear that this facade should be grim and terrifying.
The facade is full of symbolism. A stylized Alpha-and-Omega is over the door (which
faces the setting sun). Jesus, hanging on the cross, has hair made of an open book, symbol-
izing the word of God. To the left of the door, there's a grid of numbers, always adding up
to 33—Jesus' age at the time of his death. The distinct face of the man below and just left of
ChristisamemorialtoGaudí.Nowlookhighabove:Thetwo-tonfiguresuspendedbetween
the towers is the soul of Jesus, ascending to heaven.
• Enter the church. As you pass through the
Atrium,
look down at the fine porphyry floor
(with scenes of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem), and look right to see one of the
elevators
up to
the towers. For now, continue into the...
Interior:
TypicalofeventhemosttraditionalCatalanandSpanishchurches,thefloor
plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, 300 feet long and 200 feet wide. Ultimately, the church
will encompass 48,000 square feet, accommodating 8,000 worshippers. The nave's roof is
150 feet high. The crisscross arches of the ceiling (the vaults) show off Gaudí's distinctive
engineering. The church's roof and flooring were only completed in 2010—just in time for
Pope Benedict XVI to arrive and consecrate the church.
Part of Gaudí's religious vision was a love for nature. He said, “Nothing is invented;
it's written in nature.” Like the trunks of trees, these
columns
(56 in all) blossom with life,
complete with branches, leaves, and knot-like capitals. The columns are a variety of col-
ors—brownclay,graygranite,dark-graybasalt.Thetallercolumnsare72feettall;theshort-
er ones are exactly half that.
