The Pod Abroad: Wednesday 6 June Barcelona

First stop this morning was the Sagrada Familia, the magnificent cathedral that was Gaudi’s finest creation and life work. We have seen a number of spectacular cathedrals and temples over the past four weeks, but this one is just something else. It is still under construction - eight of the proposed eighteen spires have been completed to date, and two of the four facades. I simply cannot imagine how glorious it will be when it is finally completed (they are hoping around 2040), as it is absolutely mind-blowing in the form it is now.

There is simply too much in this basilica to describe, so I shall stick to the two completed facades. To the north is the nativity facade, which deals with the birth of Jesus. The whole thing is done in a very organic, living style - the rock looks like it is melting, and carvings cover every surface, of animals, birds, flowers, plants ... Groups of carvings tell the story of aspects of the Nativity, and the whole thing is topped by four surrealistic spires. In contrast, the southern aspect of the basilica features the passion facade, telling the story of the death of Jesus. Again, groups of figures relate the happenings of the final two days of Jesus’ life, from the Last Supper, to the Resurrection and Ascension, but the contrast could not be greater. The figures on this side are angular, sombre, melancholy, and there is a complete lack of the joyful and exuberant naturalistic decoration of the Nativity Facade. Some figures are downright creepy - the three Roman soldiers throwing dice to decide who gets to keep Jesus’ clothes leer down on the crowd with a conniving and evil air.

After the Sagrada, we did a walking tour of the main sights of Barcelona, starting with the remaining jewels of Gaudi’s architecture - La Pedrera and Casa Battlo. From there we strolled down La Rambla, watching the street entertainers and browsing the shops. We visited La Bouceria food market, and ambled through the narrow streets of Barcelona old town, before having a look at the huge Christopher Columbus memorial by the port, and then catching the metro home.

Barcelona is a fantastic city, lots to look at, easy to get around, entertainment at every turn. After my comments early on about the adjustment time required for each city, this has not been the case here. Barcelona has impressed from the first hour.

Sagrada Familia - the Passion Facade - the story of the death of Jesus

Jesus on the cross - note the the unique, angular formation of the statues

Group scene from Passion facade

Leering Roman soldiers looking down on the crowd

Statue of dog on the Passion facade - compare this with ...

Statue of dog on Nativity Facade

Nativity facade - deals with the birth of Jesus

Group scene on Nativity facade

Shepherds gathering to worship the baby Jesus - a small piece of stone from the Knobbies has now taken up residence just behind the kneeling shepherd to the right