As the rain moved on so did we to the Sagrada Familia Europe's most unconventional church.
It was started in 1883 but Gaudi didn't sign on until a year after it had begun and then he changed everything. You may want to blow up these picture just to see how bizarre, I mean how full of symbolism they are.
To keep the boys interested we'd say find the chicken, or lizard, or turtle, etc. hidden in the scene. I only wish we could have listened to the audio tour but we didn't think our little find the hidden animal game would last 45 minutes.
The front of the church is in a completely different style than the back. It was finished in the late 1980's by Josep Subirachs. His sculpture work here has caused much controversy as it is too angular and sinister looking.
Gaudi spent the last 16 years of his life working on this project dedicating all his money and then seeking more going door to door. The crypt below the church now holds his body after he died from being struck by a commuter train.
Inside the church we were surprised to find a light and airy feel. Often when we tour cathedrals, especially in the Gothic style as this, we can't imagine sitting through a sermon in a place so cold, dark, a dreary feeling. That is not the case here.
It was bright and as unusual inside as we'd now come to expect from his architect. But unusual in a clean lined way not all colorful, except for the stain glass, and mishmash hodgepodge like his other works.
The church is still under construction. My mom learned on her tour that the money just keeps coming in through donations and entrance fees that it's expected completion time is only 20 more years.
We took one of the last lift rides up the tower that day for majestic views of the city and a unique perspective of this unique structure.
At least 8 of the 12 spires, representing the 12 apostles, have been built and they are covered in Venetian mosaics.
We then took 400 steep steps down the spiral stair case...
through a secret door and took a little
rest while Graham ran around and Ethan took a bazillion pictures, some seen above, of the inside of the church.
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