I’d heard a lot about the unique architecture of Barcelona before traveling there from Sevilla, but to experience it in person is a whole different ball game.

Unique architecture has become a favorite of mine since I started traveling. The buildings of the world are so different, so elaborate, so unexpected, that you are often compelled to stop and take as many pictures as possible.

Most of my favorite architectural buildings on are on the old side, as, generally speaking, they just don’t make buildings nowadays like they used to.

But no artist has captured my love of unique architecture like Antoni Gaudi.

Gaudi was a Catalan architect who lived in the late 19th/early 20th century, and was definitely a man out of his time. He drew inspiration from nature, and all of his works reflect that in some way.

He became a champion of the Modernista movement, but quickly moved into a style that was completely his own.

He was also a deeply religious man, and all of his works pay homage to that belief, either in the form of religious icons, or, more grandiously, the coolest cathedral in the world, The Sagrada Familia (the sacred family).

The Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic church. Construction was started in 1882, and Gaudi became involved a year later in 1883. He devoted pretty much all of his time from there on out to the design and building of the cathedral until his death in 1926.

Many architects have worked on the Sagrada Familia since Gaudi died, but, thankfully, they’ve all done everything in their power to remain faithful to Gaudi’s vision. The design of the cathedral takes an incredible amount of inspiration from the natural world, such as the forest and the ocean, as well as a staggering amount of religious pieces. The front (facing East) and back (facing West) of the cathedral show entire scenes from the Bible - the Nativity and Passion respectively - in the form of statues .

But the real star of the show, at least in my opinion, is the interior. I’d seen pictures, but nothing could prepare me for the reality of stepping inside. It’s obviously not cool to swear in church, but I think I’ll be forgiven for my first words upon entering being “Holy shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttt”

See? Yeah I think I’m absolved on that one.

I’m pretty sure I can never visit another cathedral on my travels. They’ll just never compare to the Sagrada Familia. Ever.

I mean seriously, can you imagine going to church here?? I’d never pay attention.

I spent a good solid hour and a half just wandering through this place in total awe.

Pro tip #1: Go as the sun is setting (or perhaps rising). I went about an hour/hour and a half before sunset, and the sun hitting all those stain glass windows made it look like a rainbow threw up inside the whole building. Absolutely breathtaking.

Pro tip #2: BOOK IN ADVANCE. I can’t say this enough. If you just show up looking to get in, you will probably be waiting in the queue for well over an hour. If you book online, however, you can just show up at the time you booked for (don’t show up late though or they won’t let you in), and walk straight up the steps and into the cathedral.

The cathedral is supposed to be finished in 2026, 100 years after Gaudi’s death. There is SO much left to do, however, I don’t know how they’ll get it done! Here’s a quick video of what the Sagrada Familia will look like when it’s done. It’s supposed to be about twice the height as it is now, which just blows my mind.

Have you ever been to the Sagrada Familia or Barcelona? What was your favorite piece of architecture?

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