Façade Details in Black and White
Shot in October 2021 in Barcelona (Sagrada Familia).
Alien Structures
The architecture of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is like anything else you have seen before. The structures, columns and the decoration seem like from another world altogether. Sure, there is some religious imagery reminding you of the fact that after all is is a place of worship rooted in Christian tradition, but the Sagrada Familia is a uniquely built church which you cannot find anywhere else.
Church of Eternity
The church of Sagrada Família was envisioned by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí in the 1880s. The construction of the sacral building started in 1882 and continues up until today. It is funded solely by entrance fees paid by visitors from around the world. As with the construction of other grand cathedrals it is not unusual that such an endeavour takes many centuries to complete. After all, it is a church build to last for eternity.
The Cathedral of Light: Part II
Even for non-religious people the use of light in the Sagrada Familia cathedral may evoke feelings of enlightening and elevation. When designing the sacral building the famous architect Antoni Gaudi deliberately designed windows and put stained glass in particular places to create the feeling of a sacred ground flooded by light. The light of course standing in for a spiritual presence. Being religious or non-religious, the Sagrada Familia is a special place evoking strong feelings.
The Cathedral of Light: Part I
Light is pouring in through the stained glass windows of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. It symbolises the divine and amplifies the feeling of standing on sacred ground. You don’t have to be religious though to enjoy its power; its conscious use is reflected in the architecture of the church and its colours are mesmerising. Antoni Gaudi made a masterpiece and light was his guiding spirit.
Modernismo in Barcelona
Modernismo was an artistic, literary and architectural movement in Catalonia in the beginning of the 20th century. It was part of a more general movement in this period in the whole of Europe and was called Art Nouveau or Jugendstil as well, depending on the country. Barcelona in particular is well known for many buildings from this period, especially in connection to the great Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. These buildings are so unique and sometimes make the impression as being from another world altogether. They seem to be the perfect blend of practicability and imagination.
Michael Hoffman Photography 