I've yet to meet someone who wasn't awed by a visit to La Sagrada Familia -- Antoni Gaudi's architectural masterpiece -- a cathedral still not completed. We've featured blogs about it on our website before.
Gaudi left details about how he thought the cathedral should look when it was finished. He envisioned La Sagrada Familia as having 18 spires, only a few of which have been completed. You cannot reach the top of the spires, but there are two ways to access high areas of the church by elevator and stairs. One of these access points is on the Nativity (west) side of the church and the other on the Passion side (east entrance). When we visited only the Passion side was open, which worked out well for us. There is a separate admission fee for this access, in addition to the church admission fee.
Our visit to the top of the cathedral was our last activity in La Sagrada Familia, after we had fully explored and enjoyed the rest of the church. We waited in a que for an elevator ride to the top, over 200 feet above the ground level.
(waiting for an elevator ride to the top of the Nativity view area)
As you exit at the top, you walk across a bridge situated between two of the towers. Here you can take your time to look around. As you can see from the photo below, it's very safe. Everything is soundly built and the space is enclosed by bars and concrete.
The views are of the city center, including Montjuic mountain and the waterfront, are unbeatable!
(Views of Barcelona from La Sagrada Familia)
The photo shown below, taken from this vantage point, was used as last weekend's One Clue Mystery. It was recognized by George G -- congratulations to George for another job well done!
(last weekend's One Clue Mystery photo)
While the views of Barcelona were terrific, what became my fondest memory of this tower visit was to see some of the architectural details up close. Take a look at some of these perspectives:
After you've enjoyed the scenery, you'll exit the viewing area by walking down the stairs to the main level of the Cathedral.
An interesting tidbit I learned when doing research for this post was that two of the towers -- Bartholomew and James the Less -- are home to falcon nests. I think Gaudi would truly enjoy knowing that nature is at home in his Cathedral.
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