Writing during a 15 day lockdown in Spain, current epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to share our pilgrimage pictures and impressions of Antoni Gaudi’s beautiful buildings in Barcelona. These buildings are all part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site honoring Gaudi. May they inspire you as you look for Beauty in your life today!
Sagrada Familia (1882- 2026 projected)
Sagrada Familia at night 
Sagrada Familia Nativity Facade 
Sagrada Familia Japanese Angels (!) 
Sagrada Familia (S F) Passion Facade 
The Crucified One 
S F Altar Crucifix 
S F choir lofts 
SF side nave 
S F tower nautilus staircase 
Enjoying the tower view 
S F tower view 
SF tower view 
S F tower view 
Our SF Pilgrimage blessing 
SF honoring Gaudi in the temple crypt
Antoni Gaudi started overseeing the design and construction of Sagrada Familia in 1883. Our guide told us that Sagrada Familia always looks different depending on the day, the season and even the weather. Just as the life of architect Gaudi was a one-of-a-kind prism refracting the light of Christ, Sagrada Familia refracts Gaudi’s life through the prism of his multiple geniuses. Not only does the temple shine forth his deep Catholic faith (more on that in a future blog!), the temple shines through his modernisme “tree” columns with their sweeping paraboloids, through the rich canopy of flora and fauna shapes and structures, and through the very nature of materials he chose for every part of the temple. To use another analogy, Gaudi might be considered a choral conductor extraordinaire who blended the diverse voices of masons, ceramicists, carpenters, painters, and teams of workers into that singular prism.
Guell Palace (1886-88)
Eusebi Guell was a wealthy entrepreneur, politician, and supporter of the arts who formed a generative patron-artisan partnership and friendship with Antoni Gaudi. Guell commissioned Gaudi to create a personal residence in the Ramblas neighbor abandoned by middle class Barcelona. The Palace evolved to be both residence and meeting place for Spain’s elite. This beautiful home was filled with the music of Eusebi’s talented composer daughter Isabel:
Park Guell (1899-1914)
Park Guell was modeled after the then-popular English “gated communities” for the wealthy on the outskirts of the city. By 1906 only Guell and Gaudi and a lawyer lived in the park, which was eventually sold after Guell’s death. This “failed project” is now a public space enjoyed by Spaniards and tourists alike.
Casa Batllo 1904
Casa Batllo facade 
Casa Batllo entry staircase 
Whirlpool ceiiling 
Window well from below: note smaller windows toward the top 
Dining room chandelier with 3-D water drops 
Apartment “h” door–wished we lived here! 
Fireplace alcove for couple plus chaperone 
Whale rib attic 
Note window well tiles : blue tiles lighten to compensate for dimmer lighting of lower floors 
Casa Batllo rear facade 
Susie ascending stairs to roof 
Rooftop model Susie 
Cross capped roof with dragon spine
Josep Batllo, a wealthy textile and automotive magnate, settled his family on the prestigious Passeig de Gracia, a block of apartments where the Barcelona movers and shakers showcased their wealth. This home reflects the pinnacle of Gaudi’s effulive creative genius through both practical and architectural innovation.
Casa Batllo: this video captures the rear terrace, trencadis skylight, and views into the dining room. #SpainPilgrimage #Barcelona #CasaBatllo #Coronavirus
EoC and Other Barcelona Highlights
Meeting Economy of Communion (EoC) members Carlos and Angels was a delightful highlight of our day at Sagrada Familia. Check out our other fascinating finds around Barcelona in this gallery! #EoC
