Fourth Time Is The Charm

After Casa Amatller, we had a quick tapas lunch at Restaurant 2254, and then took Metro to Sagrada Familia.  It was our fourth time there, but our first time going up the towers. 

Ignore the title of this post, because every time we've gone to Sagrada Familia, it's been the charm.

I had chosen to go up the Nativity side, as everyone on-line recommended.  We got there 45 minutes in advance, went in, and then walked around both the outside and inside one more time.  Every time we go, we see new spectacular aspects of Sagrada Familia.

The only thing we could not see is the snake that is supposed to be on the Nativity facade, representing original sin.  Carol googled it, and got a more specific location, but we still could not find it.

You've probably already read earlier posts that note this is the most beautiful work of art by man that I have ever seen.  And it is an on-going process.

So, we gaped even on our fourth trip.  

The cool part was taking the elevator up one of the towers on the Nativity side.  We had timed tickets, and we only had to wait a brief couple of minutes to go up.  

First thing you do is cross a bridge BEHIND THE TREE OF LIFE!  Carol and I were both a little freaked that we might freak, but no.  Even though we were out on the bridge, there was none of the feeling that I might suddenly pitch over the side.  

We were told to take as much time as we wanted, but the bridge is kind of small, so there is the inexorable pressure to keep moving.  The only disappointment is that you could not see as much of the carvings as I had expected/hoped/been led to believe by reviews.

That said, it was still a thrill.  And, the best part was yet to come.  After crossing between the middle of the facade, you enter another tower and go down the dark steps.  Every so often, there are windows, however, and you get cool views.  

At two places, you can walk out onto balconies.  That was also a thrill.  Here we are, walking out on balconies designed by Gaudi. A couple of quick photos, and you move on.

We finally made it down to the base of the church, and then explored a chapel that wasn't open the other times we had been to Sagrada Familia.  Buy tower tickets (you need to do it in advance)!

Sorry in advance if there are too many photos again of Sagrada Familia, but you tend to notice new things that you hadn't seen before, even when you look right at it. 

(Editor's Note: There's no such thing as too many photos of Sagrada Familia!  Blogger: For once we are in agreement!)

This is from down low, the

Massacre of the Innocents.

Oddly enough, a lot of the good 

pictures from the Nativity Tower

tour were of the unfinished

Glory facade.

Torre Agbar

A dove on the tree of life.

Tree of life -- extreme close-up!

When the doves are much bigger than the people,

you get a sense of how high up we were.

This is a straight shot, and these

are pretty high up the Glory facade.

It has to be cool to be a

worker on Sagrada Familia.

Carol in one of the balconies.

Bridge selfie!

A picture from below of one of the

 balconies we were on.  On the right

 side, you can see a hint of blue from

 another person out on the balcony.

The new (to us) chapel.

Close up of a dragon fly on the Nativity facade door.

The Lord's Prayer.

Floor art, of Jesus entering Jerusalem

on the first Palm Sunday.