Mediterranean Cruise

Looking up 200 feet, the branching columns in Sagrada Familia weave up into the canopy of concrete “leaves”, medallions and windows. It looks random, but every part is perfectly fitted and beautifully proportioned.

Stepping through the side doors, you gaze across the 200-foot long transept to the opposite doors through a forest of enormous columns that rise up and branch out to gracefully hold the incredible weight of the roof. Gaudi wrote, “Nothing is invented; it’s written in nature.”

This grouping on the Nativity facade shows the prophet Simeon blessing the baby Jesus in the Jerusalem temple. All of the work on this fascade was completed before Gaudi’s death in 1926.

Our tour of Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) began on the right side entrance that celebrates the birth of Christ with a whirl of statues of angels, wise men and shepherds around Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

In 1883, Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudi began creating a new basilica combining nature and religion on a massive scale. Over 150 years later, work continues as the central “Jesus” tower (of 18 total spires) rises toward its eventual 560-foot height as the tallest church on earth!

This remarkable building was created by Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudi, which means we are in Spain in the Catalunya capital of Barcelona. Was Gaudi making a reference to St. George’s dragon with the scaly roof and scull-like balconies of its victims? It’s open to interpretation.

immediately outside our hotel window was a 38-story skyscraper that was a nondescript gray-green during the day and then turned bright red the second night of our stay. Made it easy to tell the taxi drivers where to drop us off!

Time to share our latest adventure – two weeks exploring the western Mediterranean Sea! We began with three days in an ancient city that also has a modern look and feel. This “garage” door into a building’s atrium has a smaller door for individual entry. (Look for the door knob.)