La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family) Church is Barcelona's number one tourist attraction. This temple is Antoni Gaudi's most famous work. A devoted Catalan and Catholic, Antoni Gaudi designed the church to honor the Holy Family.

Antoni Gaudi worked on the church from 1883-1926. Since then, It has been under construction with no end in sight. La Sagrada Familia is funded exclusively by private donations, church goers, and admission fees.

The Passion Facade shows Gaudi's spiritual vision. The architectural designs were taken from the Bible. Other artists have contributed to its constuction with Gaudi's original formulation in mind.

A close up look at one of the sculptures. Most of the stones were taken from different areas of the world. Gaudi used nature as his guide. The square with 16 boxes has numbers that add to 33 in any direction. The number 33 is used because that was the age of Christ upon his death.

Antoni Gaudi's blueprint for the finished cathedral had a dozen 330-foot spires supposedly representing the apostles. These spires will be grouped into four at each of the three entrances.

The church offers a great view of the spires and the city below. Look closer at the designs on the spires and you will notice letters that spell out a word. This one spells excelsis. This picture was taken from a bridge between two spires just like the one seen here.

Great view of the city from the Passion Facade side. There is a lift on the Passion Facade side or if you have strong legs, stairs on the Nativity Facade side.

Angie looking out to the other spires from the Passion Facade side. It was worth the trip.

This massive unfinished landmark has become a symbol of Barcelona. Although, there is a love-hate relationship with everyone who has seen it. I believe this is where the adjective "gaudy" came from meaning tastelessly ornamented. You be the judge.

The Nativity Facade shows Gaudi's vision that was completed in his life time. It shows scenes from Jesus Christ's birth and childhood. The entrance surface looks like dripping waxed candles.