Sagrada Familia
We had gaped at the stupendous church from outside many times but hadn't gone in, so having friends in town was a perfect opportunity to do this. Even visiting on New Years morning, there was no respite from the large crowds. Fortunately the vast scale of the church accommodates the masses with ease.
Visitors enter from one end of the transept, which is so large I thought it was the whole nave at first.
The sculptural monochrome stonework has a different sensibility from the riot of colors of Gaudi's famous tile work. Here the stained glass provides a rainbow of brilliant color, in counterpoint to the neutral masonry. The low winter sun poured through the windows, washing parts of the interior with color.
Each set of doors is different, and highly detailed with relief. The raking sun accentutes the elaborate carving on the doors as they stand open.
Like the old cathedrals, the church showcases a wide variety of artistic hands in co-existence, but with a distinctly modern effect. Even the cranes add to the experience of the church for me - to be able to observe its ongoing construction is to participate in its history in some way.
