Vision — I don’t think I truly took to heart what this word really meant until I encountered the works of Antoni Gaudi.
When we got to Barcelona, we were almost at the end of a two-week trip that has brought us to many breathtaking churches, but Sagrada Familia was different.
On our way to our hotel, the taxi driver gave us helpful tips about the area, including going to the basilica early to beat the crowd.
What we wished we knew, and a good travel tip, was that you can also pre-order your tickets online and get on a shorter queue (tickets can be ordered online by clicking here). The lines were long but were moving pretty quickly, and the weather was comfortable (we were there in May).
Construction of the Sagrada Familia started in 1882, and is still being worked on until now, following the vision of renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. The basilica (Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família) is unique in the use of both religious symbolism and Gaudi’s known use of nature in his designs. Each facade is different, even which facade faces which direction has a meaning behind it. Every element has been thought out and there is intention behind each spire, statue, facade and detail.
Perhaps that is the difference isn’t it — much of the work we do sometimes do not have intention behind them. I know my best work happens when I can visualize the results from the beginning, and when I am able to be patient in their execution. This, I know, comes with both practice and experience.
132 years after its construction started and more than 130 years after Gaudi’s involvement (Gaudi got involved a year after the project started), great minds and people who are passionate about putting his vision into reality are still working towards this goal. I could only wish to live to see this basilica finished in my lifetime, and when that happens, to go back to Barcelona and marvel at the genius of his vision again.