Barcelona Cathedrals

"What does it mean to be a Christian?" "If it is not Love it is not Christian." "God is Love." -- A translation of the priest during Mass by Auldyn while at the Barcelona Cathedral. 

Go to the Picture Gallery

It was a day of touring Cathedrals of Barcelona. Not far from our hotel is the Barcelona Cathedral that was constructed during the 1300's. We entered the Barri Gothic up a non-discrips alley into a plaza where we found the entrance to the cathedral. Mass was taking place, but the tourist could walk thought the structure and take photos. It was nice to have Auldyn with me to translate the sermon. "What does it mean to be Christian." The  700 year old columns had new LCD monitor mounted to them so you could see the priest. 

After the tour of the cathedral we went browsed the antique dealers in the plaza. I purchased a small silver cross and old post cards. We headed to lunch and had a wonderful Spanish meal in a very small restaurant located on a plaza. I had soup, like gazpacho but thicker, fish, rice and some home made yogurt with nuts and honey for dessert. Auldyn had pork with honey mustard sauce, a salad with warm goat cheese and chocolate cake. IT WAS FANTASTIC! 

We headed off for the big tour of the day the Sagrada Familia. It is a cathedral under construction and designed by the Spanish architect Gaudi. This was a fantastic tour and words will never explain.... It alone is worth the trip to Barcelona. We walked from the restaurant along a sycamore lined street to the Sagrada Familia. We entered the passion side of the structure. A stark, almost modern facade with columns that were shaped like bones and muscle. Christ hung over the entry hung on a cross of modern I-beam steel. The only non-organic, mass-produced element on the facade. I am sure that this is no accident by Gaudi, the entire structure is made from artisans and a cross made of mass produced steel is very much a comment on our contemporary culture. The inside of the cathedral was a collage of color, form and light under various states of completion. The stained glass was a mix of warm and cool hues. As the light entered the space it washed the stone with color and make the space glow with blue, yellow, and orange. 

We took the elevator to the top of the spire and took in the wonderful view of the city. We could see the sea, the mountains, the streets and buildings of Barcelona. WOW.... check out the video and picture gallery of the day. 

After a long walk back to the hotel, and stop along the way for a beer, green olives, and croquetas...(deep fried mashed potatoes). Great Tapas!!! Love the green olives!!! 

For dinner we went to small sports bar in the Barri Gothic where Germany was playing Australia in the world cup. A very lively crowd cheering on Germany who won 4-0! Great time!!! We had patatas bravas (fried potatoes), bocadillos (ham sanwich), beer and olives.   One the way back to the hotel we stopped for some ice cream.

Untitled from David Matthews on Vimeo.