I had been watching tickets throughout the fall, and snagged a cheap deal to Barcelona for 4 days during the first week of February, the week before the spring semester started! And so, we packed our backpacks, stuffed our double stroller with diapers/wipes, bused to Bratislava, and took Ryanair over to Spain.
What else to do on a plane but take "selfies"? Michael is becoming a pro at handling the iPhone camera.
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Over the Italian Alps.
We settled nicely in a cheap, but very clean and friendly and secure hostel near the city center, and got a good night's sleep. Next morning, we were ready to explore Barcelona, in particular the architecture of Antonio Gaudi. I do believe Michael's favorite thing in this world is riding the subway. And riding the bus comes right behind that. Bless this easy-to-please age!
Found a Gaudi house!
This is the Casa Batllo. which Gaudi built inspired by the legend of St. George. You can see how the roof resembles a dragon's scaly back.
It began to rain, so we took the metro over to the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), Gaudi's most famous work begun in 1883 and still in the process of completion, but so close! It is amazing to know that all the work on this church has been volunteered; local craftsmen often finish their careers by donating their last years before retirement on this building. Antonio said, "In the Sagrada Familia, everything is providential."
Thankful to be out of the rain!
We spent over an hour in this church, and learned much about Gaudi's vision, and how he used forms from nature to give glory to God, as they do in creation. You can see tree-like beams and leafed wood panels. with small stained glass windows to let the sunlight filter in, just as it does in a forest. Antonio said, "Nothing is art, if it does not come from nature."
"Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works, collaborate with the Creator."
Over the sanctuary, a large amount of light is permitted to enter mimicking the sun, and the emblems of the four Evangelists encircle this dome. "The straight line belongs to man; the curved one, to God."
Antonio Gaudi is buried in the crypt which was closed to visitors at the time of our visit.
"Helical forms are infinite. They climb endlessly upwards unfinished, like eternity. Like the spiritual life of souls that contemplate God. So will be the pillars of the Sagrada Familia."
When the rain stopped, we went outside to study the facade details. I loved these doors; they was covered in leaves, butterflies, bug forms, and blossoms.
Above those doors, is the Nativity facade, showing scenes from Jesus' birth and childhood, with angels playing musical instruments throughout. It looks such a mess from a distance, but close up, it is quite intricate and soulful. This was the only section of the church completely finished during Gaudi's time, so this is his pure, original vision - for the church to be a Bible in stone.
The west facade depicts Christ's passion, but has a much more modern and simplistic feeling than the opposite facade. I feel here, that later architects turned away from Gaudi's style...perhaps for the sake of time? :)
The betraying kiss of Judas.
We were especially touched by this short video, which plays in an alcove of the church. It shares the details of Gaudi's life, in addition to Gaudi's commentary on the different aspects which influenced his design of the Sagrada Familia. I could see other people were moved by Gaudi's humble simplicity and love for God as well - remarkable to witness - how the unfinished work of a quiet holy man touches hearts even today. Click the link below to watch the same video - it is only 10 minutes and very inspiring!
Waiting for the bus to go walk around Gaudi's Park Guell. Love listening to my precious boy talk.
When we arrived, we found that unfortunately, there was a fee to walk around the interior of the park (but I was using a 2008 Rick Steve's guide book.) We had been promising the boys a playground all day and thankfully that was outside the fee area.
This pink house located in Park Guell was where Gaudi lived for 20 years until his father died.
That evening, we walked around Barcelona's old town and visited the Cathedral.
Beneath the altar is the tomb of Barcelona's patron saint, St. Eulalia. She was a 13 year-old girl tortured 13 times by the Romans for being a Christian before being crucified on an X-shaped cross. Every year on her feast, the people enact a large dramatization of her life and death in this church.
We wandered down to the moonlit port that evening and Michael enjoyed seeing the clipper ship replicas.
Michael asked, "Where are the pirates, Mama, where did they go?"
The next morning we traveled up to Sagrat Cor - the basilica of the Sacred Heart that sits atop a hill overlooking Barcelona. The bus only took us so far, and because it was during the week in winter season, the funicular up the rest of the way was closed also. So, we took our first taxi thus far in our European travels. Michael was quite excited.
Sanctuary of the lower church.
Overlook. In the summer, the amusement park adjacent to the church is open for business.
Looking out over Barcelona to the Mediterranean Sea.
Inside the upper church. St. John Bosco is a popular saint in these parts, and there are many of his Salesian groups active in the churches.
Later that afternoon, we headed back to La Rambles and walked through La Boqueria outdoor market.
This was the first stand that met our eyes...
and we couldn't resist trying a few chocolate delicacies.
So many delicious types of fresh squeezed fruit juices!
Next door was a puppet exhibition, which we weren't too sure about.
The Liceu Opera House.
At the end of La Rambles is a monument of Christopher Columbus, because it was at this port that he was welcomed back from his trip to America by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel.
Barcelona Port.
It started to drizzle again, so we headed back, but took a different route and stopped in the church of Santa Maria del Mar.
On the altar is a statue of our Lady of the Sea with a model ship at her feet to commemorate the 16th century sailors who would leave models of their ships at her feet before sailing.
Trying the Spanish specialty of hot chocolate and fried churros. I stayed with coffee - the Spanish hot chocolate is too rich for me.
He enjoys dipping his food by himself now, if it is supposed to be dipped.
Our last day in Barcelona - we took the train up into the mountains to visit the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat which houses a miraculous Black Madonna statue. We tried to plan it during the boys' nap time, but I think they only slept about 30 min.
And one didn't wake up very happy...as illustrated by this series of photos.
We just let him work it out, then he was happy to come up to Mama's lap for some muffin and enjoy the scenery.
First view of the mountains and monastery.
Ahh, there's snow up here!
Initially, I had wanted to take the funicular to the top and hike around, but we were just not prepared for the amount of snow and wind chill.
In front of the entrance to the church's courtyard.
The quarters of the Benedictine monks. The name Montserrat literally means "serrated" which quite accurately describes the appearance of the jagged formations.
Inner courtyard leading to the church.
What glory met our eyes! And, there were only a few people there!
The paintings above the altar depict the miraculous finding of the Marian statue. They are so very lovely, and softly-hued.
For example, here are the shepherd children hearing music and seeing the bright light which settled into a rocky cave. Upon investigating, the townspeople discovered the statue of the Black Madonna (which may have been hidden there from the Saracens in 718) and they carried it down the mountain in procession. A small church was built in 890, and later, the present monastery and basilica.
The side staircase leading up to the statue for veneration.
The entire alcove is adorned with gold mosaics.
Here you can see that the bronze coating from the globe our Lady is holding has be worn down due to being touched by many pilgrims. How precious that we could spend so much time in this special area - there were no lines, and no one waiting on us - we took all the time we wanted! It is also remarkable to know that St. Ignatius of Loyola came to this monastery in 1522 to lay down his military tools in front of this image before beginning his period of asceticism and life as a priest.
There is a nice chapel down behind the statue with more mosaics and beautiful stained glass.
Michael learned about St. George, Christ's dragon-slayer. He is another patron saint of Catalonia.
Heading around the church to light a candle in the grotto.
We offered prayers for Mama's endometriosis situation, and for all the pregnant mamas in the world, especially our friends, and for those struggling with abortion decision or trauma.
A blessed experience to end our first trip to Spain! The few places where we have encountered images of the Black Madonna, there pervades a feeling of absolute motherhood; she is truly mother of all, and wishes to impart fruitful spiritual love and life to her children to lead them to her Son. In a small way each woman, and in particular, mothers, are called to give witness to, and spread this maternal love to reveal the love of Jesus Christ. Dear Lady of Montserrat, pray for us.
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