Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família

and it isn’t even completed yet…

Anyone, and for any reason, who has the opportunity make their home in Barcelona will soon discover that this Catalonian city has an almost unlimited number of attractions to suit every taste.

However before discovering his attractions the best move that any newcomer to the city will be  to find themselves a comfortable and affordable place to live. While there are no shortage of Barcelona apartments for rent, unless you really know your way around the city  and understand the language and the culture it may be a good idea to place yourself in the hands of the experts. And there are no greater experts when it comes to  renting Barcelona apartments than ShBarcelona. ShBarcelona  have been around for many years and that express in finding ideal barcelona vacation rentals opportunities to suit every budget and need. Even for those looking for apartment to rent for a year or two or even more then ShBarcelona always have a large choice of long term rentals in Barcelona to choose from.

Once the problem of finding somewhere to live has been taking off your hands by ShBarcelona, then you’ll have plenty of time to discover the attractions of the city.

Without a doubt, one of Barcelona’s most outstanding attractions is the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family) designed by the city’s most famous architect Antoni Gaudí, who was awarded the commission  to build the temple in order to atone for what the society considered to be Barcelona’s  sins of modernity.  Gaudí regarded the Temple as his life’s work, yet due to a series of unexpected  events, the temple  it still remains uncompleted after more than  120 years. When  the project is eventually completed, in around thirteen years, according to its current architects, its tallest  tower will be more than half again  as as those already imposing towers that have already been completed.

Almost two thirds  of the massive construction project  has already been completed since the foundation  stone was laid by Gaudi in 1882. Now thanks to the introduction of revolutionary  new innovations in  masonry techniques speeding up the work, the architectural team believe that the final spires and main façade will be finished by 2026.

Unfinished it may be, the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família still managed to attract around three million visitors every year, making it monument that attracts the most visitors in all of  Spain. In November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI was a visitor . consecrating  the church in a moving ceremony that attracted huge crowds.

Although Antoni Gaudí passed away in 1926, much of his architectural handprint remains in the building, particularly in its carpentry, ceramics, stained glass, wrought ironwork forging,  as well as the use of  trencadís, intrinsically woven from pieces of ceramic waste.

No stay in Barcelona could be complete without a visit to the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família- and those whose stay in the city will be longer, will be sure to find themselves enjoying a number of visits to enjoy the buildings magnificence.