Spain > The Sagrada Familia

Today my walking route first takes me via the Ramblas to Plaça de Catalunya. Here I buy tickets for the Turístic bus. On an open double-decker, you are driven from one sight to another. The buses run three different routes, and I can hop on and off as often as I like. I start with the blue route. Along the Rambla de Catalunya, I pass Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.

Spain - The Sagrada Familia under scaffolding

On the way, the weather turns threatening. Just near Station de Sants, a short shower breaks out. Everyone ducks down to the lower deck. Fortunately, after a few minutes it’s dry again, and I can enjoy the view from the upper deck. At Barcelona’s beach, I switch to the green line. This line specifically serves the Forum area and tours the northern neighborhoods of Barcelona. These areas have been renovated in recent years, with new offices and shopping centers. After the loop through this district, I get off and take a walk along the beach. At a terrace, I order a drink and enjoy the view. The weather has become pleasant, so I decide to walk to the Sagrada Família, about 2½ kilometers through the city. Along the way, I pass the zoo and some parks. Near Station del Nord, I stop for a baguette. Then I continue toward the Sagrada Família. From afar, the tops of the enormous cathedral are already visible. Antoni Gaudí’s famous towers rise far above the city. Fortunately, the line at the entrance is manageable, and I am soon inside the Sagrada Família. It’s interesting to see the progress over the past three years. When I was here before, I noticed the structure at the main entrance side has now become clearly visible, particularly the tree-like arrangement of the columns. On the other side of the church, I climb the towers. The elevator is out of order here, so I have no choice but to take the stairs. At the other entrance, the lift works, but the line is very long. Through narrow staircases, I reach the bridge over 50 meters high between the two middle towers. From this walkway, I have a good view of the construction activities and the city. It’s almost unimaginable that the Sagrada Família will eventually be more than twice as high, with a top of around 150 meters.

Spain - The illuminated fountain in front of the national museum

In the museum, a scale model clearly shows what the building will eventually look like and how Gaudí intended it. A slideshow (with French commentary) shows the developments so far. After my visit, I enjoy a beer at one of the terraces in front of the church. Then I get back on the tourist bus and continue along the red route. Along the way, I switch to the blue line and get off at Plaça de Espanya. The two Venetian towers mark the road to the National Museum. The museum is accessible via a wide road with escalators on both sides. In the middle, there is a large fountain where I stop to have a drink. It’s starting to get dusk. While I sit there, the water show in the fountains begins. With various water figures and beautiful lighting, a wonderful spectacle unfolds before me. Around nine o’clock in the evening, I walk along the museum toward the bus stop. Unfortunately, the last bus left just fifteen minutes earlier. I walk down the hill along the park toward the city center. Along the way, I find a nice terrace where I decide to have dinner. Around midnight, I walk back to my hotel.