Kia ora koutou,

I’m Sheryl, one of the committee members fortunate enough to have travelled to France with the quilts for Carrefour.

I decided that if I was going to do the ’24 hours in a plane’ required to get to Europe, I would like to do something else while there, so I chose to spend 5 nights in Barcelona. Travelling with heavy luggage is challenging, not to mention the precious nature of what was in the luggage, with tense times beside the luggage carousel waiting for my suitcase to appear.

Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia has long been on my bucket list so Barcelona was an easy choice. I stayed in the Gothic Quarter, the historic heart of the city, crisscrossed with narrow alleys, ancient churches, museums and teeming with buskers and tourists. I happened to be there during a festival week with daily street parades, although I think there is always a street party in Barcelona.

Sagrada Familia did not disappoint. Wikipedia says that it is expected to be finished in 2026. However, our guide suggested it will likely be at least another decade to complete, so I’m glad I didn’t wait!

Basìlica de la Sagrada Familia is the perfect example of both a UFO and a WIP. So far, it has been 143 years of construction, with wars, dictators, and other obstacles along the way. It is a Catholic church but totally self-funded, no money from Rome – the entry fees pays for the construction, and if you don’t book, the queues are massive.

The exterior is unique, unlike any other historical church I have ever seen. It appears as if formed in clay. Scaffolding and cranes protrude here and there, accompanied by the sounds of a building site. A large number of architects have worked on the basilica since Gaudí died, making it also a communal project. Their influences are seen in the varied styles of figures and detailed ornamentation. For example, one of my photos is of angels that look Asian, created by a Japanese architect. Gaudí loved nature, and the depiction of natural forms on the exterior and tree-like pillars inside is stunning, as is the light from the east and west-facing stained glass windows. The interior has a modern, bright, fresh feel.

Here are just a few photos that don’t really do justice to the magnificence of his work. It’s a must-see, should you ever have the opportunity.

Adiòs