BARCELONA SPARKLES! LA SAGRADA FAMILIA NEARS COMPLETION!

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Barcelona, Spain

70F, sunny!

Stained glass window, La Sagrada Familia

The Holy Family

This is our 5^th visit to Barcelona, a city that sparkles! Every other time we stayed a few days, but we had to make the best of our stop this time before the ship left. We were off the ship at 9 a.m., and by 9:30 we arrived at La Sagrada Familia, my favorite church of all time, by taxi.

 

Pro tip: Be sure you purchase your timed tickets online before you leave home. The lines are unbelievable, with an average of 14,000 visitors a day. By the way, the Louvre averages 30,000 visitors a day.

 

Barcelona is a major cultural and economic center in Spain with a city population of approximately 1.73 million people and a wider metropolitan population exceeding 4.8 million. It is located on the northeastern coast of Spain, serving as the capital of Catalonia. Both Spanish and Catalan are official and widely spoken. 

 

Barcelona also acts as a leading global hub for commerce, tourism, fashion, and tech innovation in Southern Europe and operates as one of the most significant commercial and passenger ports along the Mediterranean Sea.

 

La Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona’s world renowned landmarks and I will always visit while here!

 

We are very tired because we did not return to the ship until 5 p.m., with 14,000 steps so far, TK has 16,000.  I hope I can finish the blog tonight – there will be a lot of photos.

 

The Basics: It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world and was consecrated as a basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its Nativity façade and crypt. The first stone was laid in 1882, and in 1883 Antoni Gaudi was appointed as architect.   To me, he was an artist, an inventor, an engineer, as well as an architect who loved nature and had keen powers of observation.  His vision, still being carried on to this day, was phenomenal.

1926: Gaudi was killed in a tram accident.

1930: the Nativity façade was completed

Civil Wars—Lack of funds

1954-2018: Passion façade was completed

2021-2026: The completion of the Central Towers (dedicated to Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, the 4 Apostles.)

2026: The tower of Jesus Christ was completed—565 feet high. The tallest church tower in the world

A photo journey:

On the exterior there are three facades--The Nativity, the Passion, the Glory, and 14 Towers (total of 18 planned).  It is difficult to get photos of each facade because of the height, the amount of people, and my skill.

Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus

Nativity Facade

Holy Family, center

Three Kings, Nativity Facade

B ronze ivy covers two of the entry doors. Tucked around

the ivy are nature's creatures--here a snail

Altar--the Crucifix

The Crucifix-closeup

Part of the staircase-spiraled 

like a Nautilus

Ceiling image

Stained Glass--cool colors

Stained glass-warm colors

Four columns near the Crucifix represent the 

Four Evangelists-this is Mark

Luke

John

Matthew

Exterior again--the Passion Facade

Judas' betrayal

Herod's Judgment

Crucifixion

Preparing for entombment

The figures on the Passion Facade are

more angular to convey the suffering

and death of Christ--stark and severe

The Nativity Facade is more 

organic and celebatory

Depiction of the Tower of Jesus Christ

Depiction of the Tower of the

Virgin Mary

A rendition of the total look when 

La Sagrada Familia is finished

Both the tower of Jesus Christ and Mary (right)

The new Tower of Jesus Christ-2026

Best segue yet--La Sagrada Familia in chocolate

Chocolate shop right across the street!

I wonder if Tony of Romolos could

finesse such a structure!

After three hours of quality time in the most beautiful church and an exquisite gift shop, we walked around the area and caught a taxi to La Rambla, a very well known boulevard. It was not as fun today because apparently the city is widening the street and replacing water and other infrastructure.

I don't know if you can see the fencing and other parts and pieces 

of what they are doing

Looks like some serious work!

Before we ambled too far, we needed to eat and have something to drink--by now it was 1:30 p.m., and we hadn't eaten or hydrated. Not good for old folks like us.  We actually stopped twice along La Rambla, once for Coke Zero and a croissant, then TK's fave, Dunkin for a donut and coffee. Nothing like eating healthy.

Mercat St. Josep--a favorite market to visit

Sausages and such

Fruits and juices

Empanadas

Olives!

Pork in various stages

  

Seafood

Nuts and more nuts

How about a fresh pasta market in Erie!

We took a taxi back to the ship. After walking along the boardwalk after La Rambla, 

we just didn't have the gumption.  Oscar, the taxi driver insisted on taking our photo!

A native Barcelonian, he said his father was a taxi driver before him!

We just made it back in time to go to dinner, which was one of the best yet-Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes.  [Note: our private table is scheduled for 5 p.m. If we are not there on time, others are invited to dine in our place.]  

By the way, after tomorrow's sea day we visit four ports in a row. We better toughen up. No slacking!

And one more thing--I found a whole bunch of information on the Internet about the Barbarella Discotheque in Mallorca--will blog tomorrow about that! 

TK's Takes:  He told me before about his U.S. Navy stop in Barcelona in the late 60s early 70s where he went to a club with other sailors and met up with some American girls and they all went to a party. Now he remembers he went to a bullfight in Barcelona too.  Barcelona-- So many people.  He bought more straps for his suitcase, a story he said was to be continued...

Guess what dish this is!

OXTAIL SOUP

Why did I never think of putting pie pastry 

on top of my soups and baking it?? 

Donna was close--she has an edge as a veteran cruiser! Thank you, Julie and Ann for giving it a try!