Antoni Gaudí, the visionary architect behind Barcelona's visionary Sagrada Familia,
dedicated over 40 years of his life to this basilica. His life became intertwined with the
Sagrada Familia's,which was tragically cut short in 1926 with his demise.
Gaudí, a devout Catholic, formated the project's ambition; a church that transcended the
architectural normal. His design incorporated Gothic elements; a style characterized by
pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and stained glass; but with his distinctly organic style. Nature
served as a constant inspiration, evident in the Sagrada Familia's soaring, branching
columns and richly detailed facades depicting biblical scenes for which he was renowned.
His untimely demise came when he was struck by a tram while on his way to prayer, from
where he was taken to a pauper's hospital where he died three days later, being mistaken for
a beggar. Gaudí's death left the Sagrada Familia with a significant challenge. His design
plans were complex and often existed only in his mind, leading subsequent architects to
meticulously study his models and sketches to continue its construction, relating to his vision
as closely as possible to format a basilica as close to the one he imagined.
Gothic architecture, which flourished in Europe from the 12th to the 16th centuries, aimed to
inspire awe and reverence. Cathedrals like Notre Dame in Paris employed soaring heights,
intricate stained glass depicting religious narratives, and dramatic light effects to evoke a
sense of the divine.whereas Gaudí incorporated these elements but infused them with his
own whimsical and naturalistic style, fusing the traditional gothic arches, buttresses and
vaulting with an ethereal sort of naturalistic character.
As one steps into La Sagrada Familia, they experience an illuminated forest that takes on
Gaudí's signature style, dominated by 36 massive columns with branching tops, resembling
giant trees. These columns branch to divide the space into five naves, of which the central nave rises highest and is bathed in color.
The masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí is the Sagrada Familia itself. Its tall spires towards the heavens represent Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Richly ornamented facades tell the stories of
the Nativity, the Passion, and the Glory of Christ. Under constant construction, the estimated
completion date is 2026, the Sagrada Familia is one of the architectural masterpieces of
modern times and is eternally connected with the life and works of Antoni Gaudí.
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