Thursday, 15 May
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After another hearty hotel breakfast, it was off to the Sagrada Familia for a 9:45 tour. The basilica is dedicated to the Sacred Family. The temple has been under construction for 140 years and is not yet complete. The design is by Antoni Gaudi who worked on the project from 1883 until his death in 1926. The church is funded solely through donations. Construction was delayed during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s when the original plans were destroyed. Work was continued from published plans and photos. The architecture is like no other church. Gaudi did not understand straight lines. In 2010 Pope Benedict consecrated the basilica. When finished the church will have eighteen spires for the twelve Apostles, four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus. It makes me wonder why Joseph was left out of the spires. He is represented on the Nativity facade but did not make the spire cut? The tour included an elevator ride to the top of the Passion Tower with views of the city and a long, narrow staircase with 504 steps down. There is a museum, workshop and videos that describe the history of the building. This is considered Gaudi’s greatest work.
On our walk back, Dolora and I went past the Block of Discord. The block contains three Modernista buildings, each by a different architect. One is more gaudy than the next. It looks like the neighbors were trying to outdo each other.
By then it was time to stop for lunch at nearby La Rita. They offer a fixed price lunch for 14.50 €. which includes a starter, main dish and dessert with a drink. This was a delicious bargain for large servings and great food. When we left, the place was packed. This is on our list for a possible return for dinner!
Back to the hotel for our siesta before our initial tour group meeting at five. At the tour group meeting we met our guide Luis. Luis filled us in on details of the tour and some optional group activities as well as the best gelato in Barcelona. The group activities will include a dinner in Granada, a concert in Ronda and a flamenco show in Sevilla. Dolora and I will probably participate in all three. Tour members introduced themselves and we met Tom and Diane from Georgia and decided to go to dinner together at El Xampanyet, the Little Champagne Bar. Spanish cava is the equivalent of champagne but the French have a lock on the name. There was a line outside the bar when we arrived before they opened at seven. After letting people in, we were told we could stand at the bar or wait half an hour for a table. Since we would be standing to wait anyway, it was inside to the bar. The group shared some pork and peppers, olives, Spanish omelet with potatoes and some cheese stuffed peppers along with a bottle of cava. The atmosphere was lively. Passing up the Spanish dessert, it was time to find our first gelato of the trip. To the Luis recommendation of Amorino and it did not disappoint.
A trip back to the hotel to rest up for our last full day in Barcelona tomorrow. Then it is off to Madrid.