BARCELONA’S ICONIC SAGRADA FAMILIA TO FINALLY BE ROOFED
Gaudí’s Masterpiece Ever Closer to Completion
Barcelona, SPAIN, July 10, 2008 - Barcelona’s emblematic, yet incomplete monument, La Sagrada Familia will soon receive a roof. It has been 125 years since architectural genius Antoni Gaudí took on the project in 1883 (though 126 years since the first stone was laid). Welcoming over two million visitors annually, the Cathedral of La Sagrada Familia is now expected to be completely roofed by 2010, when work on the vaults of the transepts and apse will be concluded. Though not quite the finishing touch, this will mark an important milestone in the life of the Cathedral, as it will finally be able to welcome religious observances and cultural events within its walls.
Gaudí is the most renowned exponent of the architectural and artistic movement known as Modernisme, or Catalan Art Nouveau, which flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. UNESCO first recognized Gaudí’s accomplishments in 1984 when it declared several of his structures as World Heritage Sites. Subsequently in 2005, that was expanded to include portions of the Sagrada Familia completed during his lifetime.
The Cathedral is a breathtaking vision come to life of Gaudí’s architectural, artistic and spiritual philosophies. Inspired by Gothic architecture, Gaudí believed he could surpass what he perceived as its architectural weaknesses. Though beautiful, the parts of a Gothic cathedral were too interdependent, the destruction of one part could lead to the destruction of the whole, and major structural supports, like flying buttresses, were too vulnerable, as they were constructed outside of protective walls. Gaudí embraced modern technological innovations and developed complex inverted weight studies to develop his plans for the Sagrada Familia. Additionally, drawing on his love of nature, he developed columns that tilted like trees and forked at the top like branches. Upon entering the nave and as light filters in from its stained glass windows, visitors have the sensation of walking under a forest’s canopy. For Gaudí, not only the decoration, but the actual structure of the church should reflect religious symbolism. The Cathedral’s stunning silhouette with its many towers has become Barcelona’s icon and when completed, is destined to have 18 towers, representing the twelve apostles, the four evangelicals and Mary and Jesus.
Gaudí obsessively dedicated the last forty years of his life to his masterpiece, but did so with utmost patience. Since its beginnings, the Sagrada Familia has been funded by private donations (and in recent times by entrance fees). Gaudí carefully planned the building to be completed in stages by subsequent generations, and in fact, never expected to see his opus magnum finished. Rather, as he put it, his client was not in a rush, since God had all the time in the world.
Today, many others have dedicated large portions of their lives to carrying out his vision. The artist Josep Maria Subirachs has worked for the past twenty years in creating sculptures for the Passion Façade. The current chief architect, Jordi Bonet, has spearheaded the works for over twenty years. Bonet, an octogenarian, proclaims that he will continue to do so as long as he remains able to climb the Cathedral’s many stairs. He follows in the footsteps of his own father who worked on the project through 1983. Bonet believes, however, that like Gaudí and his own father, he will not see the Sagrada Familia completed.
The current prediction is that the crowning element of the Sagrada Familia, the central tower (The Tower of Jesus), which is to measure over 550 feet, will be finished in 2025.
Standard admission to the Sagrada Familia is about $15.75, or 10€ (students and seniors about $12.60, or 8€), and can be purchased at the entrance, online at http://www.telentrada.com/ or by calling: 011-34-902 10-12-12.
For more information about the Sagrada Familia, go to http://www.sagradafamilia.org/ (though the English language version of the site is currently under construction). For further information about tours to Spain
Gaudí’s Masterpiece Ever Closer to Completion
Barcelona, SPAIN, July 10, 2008 - Barcelona’s emblematic, yet incomplete monument, La Sagrada Familia will soon receive a roof. It has been 125 years since architectural genius Antoni Gaudí took on the project in 1883 (though 126 years since the first stone was laid). Welcoming over two million visitors annually, the Cathedral of La Sagrada Familia is now expected to be completely roofed by 2010, when work on the vaults of the transepts and apse will be concluded. Though not quite the finishing touch, this will mark an important milestone in the life of the Cathedral, as it will finally be able to welcome religious observances and cultural events within its walls.
Gaudí is the most renowned exponent of the architectural and artistic movement known as Modernisme, or Catalan Art Nouveau, which flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. UNESCO first recognized Gaudí’s accomplishments in 1984 when it declared several of his structures as World Heritage Sites. Subsequently in 2005, that was expanded to include portions of the Sagrada Familia completed during his lifetime.
The Cathedral is a breathtaking vision come to life of Gaudí’s architectural, artistic and spiritual philosophies. Inspired by Gothic architecture, Gaudí believed he could surpass what he perceived as its architectural weaknesses. Though beautiful, the parts of a Gothic cathedral were too interdependent, the destruction of one part could lead to the destruction of the whole, and major structural supports, like flying buttresses, were too vulnerable, as they were constructed outside of protective walls. Gaudí embraced modern technological innovations and developed complex inverted weight studies to develop his plans for the Sagrada Familia. Additionally, drawing on his love of nature, he developed columns that tilted like trees and forked at the top like branches. Upon entering the nave and as light filters in from its stained glass windows, visitors have the sensation of walking under a forest’s canopy. For Gaudí, not only the decoration, but the actual structure of the church should reflect religious symbolism. The Cathedral’s stunning silhouette with its many towers has become Barcelona’s icon and when completed, is destined to have 18 towers, representing the twelve apostles, the four evangelicals and Mary and Jesus.
Gaudí obsessively dedicated the last forty years of his life to his masterpiece, but did so with utmost patience. Since its beginnings, the Sagrada Familia has been funded by private donations (and in recent times by entrance fees). Gaudí carefully planned the building to be completed in stages by subsequent generations, and in fact, never expected to see his opus magnum finished. Rather, as he put it, his client was not in a rush, since God had all the time in the world.
Today, many others have dedicated large portions of their lives to carrying out his vision. The artist Josep Maria Subirachs has worked for the past twenty years in creating sculptures for the Passion Façade. The current chief architect, Jordi Bonet, has spearheaded the works for over twenty years. Bonet, an octogenarian, proclaims that he will continue to do so as long as he remains able to climb the Cathedral’s many stairs. He follows in the footsteps of his own father who worked on the project through 1983. Bonet believes, however, that like Gaudí and his own father, he will not see the Sagrada Familia completed.
The current prediction is that the crowning element of the Sagrada Familia, the central tower (The Tower of Jesus), which is to measure over 550 feet, will be finished in 2025.
Standard admission to the Sagrada Familia is about $15.75, or 10€ (students and seniors about $12.60, or 8€), and can be purchased at the entrance, online at http://www.telentrada.com/ or by calling: 011-34-902 10-12-12.
For more information about the Sagrada Familia, go to http://www.sagradafamilia.org/ (though the English language version of the site is currently under construction). For further information about tours to Spain
Please contact:eugenio@altatours.com
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