 |
| Sagrada Familia Basilica |
There are some interesting and quirky things about it. When we saw it, I (Rob) described it as something out of "Harry Potter." It's also partly designed by Antoni Gaudi, the artist/architect we met a couple of blogs back (who went mad, was hit by a tram and died 3 days later in a hospital).
In this blog we'll tell you a bit about the history, 6 towers, a "blocky artistic part"
 |
| The artistic blocky facade |
FOUR APOSTLE TOWERS - Called the "Towers of the evangelists" the towers of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are now at 86.82 meters high but will reach 135 meters by 2022, according to the plan..
THE JESUS TOWER or "Tower of Jesus Christ" will be the tallest, at 172.5 meters high.
TOWER OF THE VIRGIN MARY - Is located over the apse and stands 138 meters tall
THE BLOCKY ARTISTIC OUTSIDE PART IS CALLED THE "PASSION FACADE" - In 2017, the sculptures of the lion of Judah and lamb of Abraham, two symbols of Jesus Christ from the Old Testament, were put on the outer acroterions of the upper portico.
 |
| Gaudi's "melting wax" side of the Basilica |
LOOKS LIKE MELTING CANDLEWAX - One side of the Basilica is so heavily ornamented that from a distance it looks like melting candle wax. It's actually pretty creepy looking. Appropriately enough, there were some ghosts in the building, which we'll explain in the next blog.
ARCHITECTURAL NOTE: An "acroterion" is an architectural ornament placed on a flat pedestal called the acroter or plinth, and mounted at the apex or corner of the pediment of a building in the classical style.
In 2018, the elements of the upper narthex (an antechamber or large porch in a modern church) will be completed with the scene of the empty tomb placed behind the central columns and the holy cross in the central acroterion. The empty tomb scene, by sculptor Francesc Fajula, has already been put in place. This sculpture group comprises the figure of the angel, which weighs 3.8 tonnes, and the figures of the three Marys, each 3 meters tall. The stone cross is finished and the angels that will go with it are being sculpted now.
WHO WAS ANTONI GAUDI? An architect, artist, carpenter, glassmaker, locksmith. (1852-1926) In 1878, he qualified in Architecture. In 1883 he took over the design of the Sagrada Familia. He worked on it for 43 years until his death in 1926.
GAUDI'S DESIGN -Gaudí’s conception of the Sagrada Familia was based on the traditions of Gothic and Byzantine cathedrals. His intention was to express Christian belief through the architecture and the beauty of the building and communicate the message of the Evangelists.
NEXT: A TOUR OF THE INSIDE, STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN REVERSE
No comments:
Post a Comment