Did you make sandcastles in your childhood? Let’s remember. You dig a hole not far from the water, a deep hole, take a handful of wet sand “gruel,” and raise your hand. Drops slide out of your fingers, fall down on their brothers, settle in bizarre fluid forms, and your small miracle castle begins to grow right in front of your eyes. Turrets, walls, passages, loopholes, stairs…
Perhaps, the great architect, Antoni Gaudi, remembered sandcastles. When he grew up, he built his childish castle out of concrete; however, he did not succeed in finishing it.
Sagrada Familia
Who ever would have thought to portray Christ like THIS?! We can only wonder if it is a revolutionary attitude of the Pope.
Sagrada Familia “flows down.” Figures of people, animals, birds, plants, fruits, snakes, helices—the whole world lives here. This is the most beautiful building I have ever seen in my life, and the most unusual.
I am standing nearby.
You have grown, my little childish sandcastle.
Now you will not be washed away by naughty waves.
You will not be destroyed by envy.
You will stand here hundreds of years after my death.
Bravo, Master! You paid a very high price for this miracle, but I hope you are not sorry where you are now.
They are beginning to cover Sagrada Familia with colorful ceramic tiles.
I am afraid the “sandy” look of the building will be harmed.
More about Spain:
A Dreamboat of Photographers—Alcazar of Segovia
Watch Your Step! You are in Madrid!
Spanish Segovia: Five World Famous Sites in One Place
Victor Travel Blog 
Unbelievable, isn’t it, Victor? Your photos are fabulous.
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Thank you. The Sagrada is a very grateful object.
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I love photographing Sagrada Familia — done so on at least two visits to Barcelona. Alas, I’ve yet to be there under anything but overcast skies. You’ve obviously had much better luck in Barcelona than have I.
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I think Sagrada will be unusual even in cloudy sky.
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This is the happiness to spend childhood by the sea.
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Such a great shot of you making a sand castle — perfect image to pair with La Sagrada Familia! I fondly remember making “drip castles” when I grew up during part of my childhood in Southern California. Thanks for sharing! Cheers, Steph
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WOW! A very beautiful place. The detail is amazing.
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciate the time you took to stop by. May your day be filled with joy and peace.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Thank you. Be happy and healthy too!
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This is one of my most favorite buildings in the world and one of my favorite architects too-lovely, lovely photographs.
And thank you too for stopping by to visit my blog-I do appreciate it-
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The same with me. Thank you too.
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Very good! When we were in Barcelona and of course visited Sagrada Familia, we didn’t think of it in sand-castle terms — but that is the perfect analogy. It captures the child-like exuberance of the forms, as well as something of the texture.
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I was just trying to convey my feelings, standing next to this cathedral.
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It is certainly a beautiful building, as are your sandcastles and photos.
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Thanks a lot.
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I love the sandcastle version of the Sagrada Familia! A different view of a very familiar building.
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Maybe I am first who saw it? 🙂
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Thought I would check out your blog since you were kind enough to “like” today’s offering on mine. Saw your photos here of the Sagrada Familia and reminded me that I will be traveling to Barcelona shortly and will no doubt spend a couple of hours circulating this incredible edifice. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to my trip even more now …
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I hope you will like this city. Thank you.
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I grew up in Florida making drippy sand castles. Great shots of both the sand and “real life” castles.
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It means, you must see this enormous sandcastle.
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I have seen it – It’s amazing. I love the Gaudi park as well. What is it throw back Thursday? This comment is from two years ago:-) But I’m still here… and so are you! Cheers… wendy
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I just reread the post and rewrote some of the comments. 🙂
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Brilliant sandcastle. Just love it!
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Thank you, Marion.
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I have seen the Gaudi’s interiors too and I will show it here soon.
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I will be interested in seeing them … the guide told us there ‘wasn’t much to see’, but, since then, several people have contradicted that.
There’s a slight possibility we may be visiting Barcelona in 2013 … that’s high on the list if we do go.
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Frankly speaking Gaudi’s exteriors I like more than his interiors.
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The sandcastle is delightful. I was entranced by the different styles within Gaudi’s building when I visited it. Your photos show the detail well.
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It was the main work of his life.
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I went to Barcelona and had great expectations concerning the Sagrada Familla. The weather was very bad when I went there and the church looked very ugly from a distance. I was really dissapointed. Now that I see your close-up pictures I realize the idea behind all the work and the beauty that is hidding in the details.
Thanks a lot.
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Barselona is not so far from Madrid, and you have the oppoftunity to see Sagrada in the best weather.
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Nice comparison:) Though it took Gaudi more effort to create Sograda Familia than for us to make a sand castle:) That is why he’s a genius:)
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Yes. So much efforts that Sagrada is not finished until this time.
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HI Victor – I love your posting on Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia – the sandcastle analogy is just perfect! Thanks for liking my Austria post – I wonder if you read my one on Barcelona a couple of weeks ago – it was all about Gaudi and the Sagarada Familia! http://wp.me/p1xyHR-4U – this is the short link to it. Gaudi obviously has a very profound impact on many people. Keep up the wonderful posts. Julie
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Very shortly. And where are photos?
Your posts have no photos.
Is this your principle to tell people about countries?
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this is probably the most complex yet beautifil building thay i have ever seen. me and my friends joked a bit that “gaudi must be really crazy to come up with such a piece of art”. he has made a lot of buildings in barcelona and yes they are such a masterpiece. i look forward to the day til i come back there.
great pictures! ypu captured then wonderfully.
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All geniuses are a little crazy. But other question is: how the Pope adopted it?
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I love Gaudi’s work. Barcelona is such a great place to be! Have you been to Parc Guell? I love that!
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No, we have not seen the Park, but I am sure we’ll do it next time.
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It is an amazing structure… I love Antonio Gaudi’s architectural feats. Happy Holidays! 🙂
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Thank You, Elizabeth. Merry Christmas!
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This is great! I saw it in 2009 and loved it. Loved your sand castle connection!
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That was my first impression.
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I had the thought about the sand-castle, too. Looks like I need to visit again to get a better look … we were rather pushed for time in 2009. Ant, the cranes were still there; it looks much better without them! http://travelrat.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/geese-at-the-cathedral/
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Yes, yes… PhotoShop can do miracles 🙂
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These architectural buildings are absolutely wonderful.. and I love your sand castle structure in the top photos as well. Amazing post
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Thank you very much. It is obvious that you remember your sandcastles.
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Great pictures that reminded me of my visit there – Thanks!
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That has to be the most unique piece of architecture I have ever seen. The detail is incredible. Thank you for sharing.
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The same with me. Thank you.
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Sadly, I can’t see just one of the photos 😦 I love the Sagrada Familia and hope I can visit it one day 🙂
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Try to refresh the page. All the photos are on the places.
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Beautiful; how unique! Thank you for posting!
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Thank you for reading.
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