Entry 10

When I learned about my move to Barcelona, I envisioned this daily ritual of visiting Sagrada Familia simply because I could.  Ironically, since my arrival, I’ve only caught glimpses of it a handful of times. My work and apartment are situated on the other side of town, and I rarely find myself wandering in that direction. (Curse Sarria for being so damn convenient!)

When I went on the a classic whirlwind European tour in 2019, Sagrada Familia was the first thing to leave me gobsmacked. I had never seen anything so massive and old and intricate in my life. It sucked me in. I could look at it all day. I loved this idea of blending the old with the new. How this building had changed and molded with the city as it grew. I was tickled by the fact that they were having to restore parts of the building while at the same time creating things fresh and new.

I had this idea then that I would come back when she was completed. It was important for me to see it finished. Well, we are still a few years off from that, they plan to have it completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudi’s death.

However, about a month ago I got to witness the introduction of an important milestone in the building of the church. Last month they completed the four towers representing the Evangelists, leaving only one tower out of the eighteen left to be finished. On that night, these four towers were lit for the first time in a short ceremony. The final tower, representing Jesus, will be the tallest making Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world. It is the last large hurdle for this building to be finished. Maybe I will be in attendance to see that light up too.