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Illumination


It was a cool day in Barcelona when I visited La Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with my friend Marlon. My first impression was:

"The basilica was massive. Gothic. Weird looking but amazing at first glance." (Excerpt from my travel journal)

Antoni Gaudi, the genius architect behind La Sagrada Familia's creation, was inspired by unusually tall and slim forest trees. He loves to read the book of Mark in the bible. His design is vey Christ-centered. In fact, if you look closely, the basilica has many scenes depicting Jesus' life and ministry on earth. 

La Sagrada Familia has 3 facades one of which remains unfinished to this very day. Gaudi believed that his creation should not surpass that of God's.

Gaudi built Sagrada in 1883 but did not live long enough to complete his masterpiece. He died 3 days after being hit by a passing tram on his way to church for his daily prayer and confession. 










La Sagrada Familia's interior is a stark contrast from it's exterior's gothic and monochromatic appearance.

I found myself in the middle of a massive work of art. The entire place was illuminated by lights streaming through stained glass windows. Towering columns were seemingly reaching out to the heavens. If I remember correctly, Gaudi was thinking about the same thing when he conceptualized these tree-like columns. 

"When we got inside, I did not get creeped out unlike the other cathedrals I've seen all over Spain. Sagrada was modern, colorful and clean." (Excerpt from my travel journal)

We were on the last leg of our 12-day Spain journey. I have been in many beautiful churches during the course of my travel but La Sagrada Familia for me is the most unique next to La Mezquita in Cordoba. 







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