History

Architect Anthony Gaudi was intented on the fact that this construction would become some stone prayer - as an expression of his relation to Catholic faith. Holy Family Cathedral would become Gaudi´s life work. He tried to realize his dream, during 40 years, and so to create the Cathedral, masterpiece of 20th century. When he died in 1926, extent plot remained. Only north facade was finished, and building place was full of cranes. Despite this fact, the building is placed to most known religious buildings of the world, and the church became a symbol of Barcelona, as the expresseion of artistic liberty, free from economical needs.

Gaudi spent his last years directly on plot and looked after how to use the money received from sponsors in best way. To tell the truth, the Cathedral is financed from sponsors´ gifts only till now. However, within stormy years of 1920-1930, the interests in religious buildings decreased a lot. Gaudi´s building style did not found an understanding within that time period, as gruff functionalistic style came into fashion. In 1936, at the beginning of Spanish civil war, and 10 years after Gaudi´s death, the construction of the Cathedral was stopped, as its author, as a Catalonian, was taken for an enemy of the nation. The anarchists plundered subterranean chapel, including his atelier. However, from skizzen, suggestions or models, there were preserved a little artefacts. Nevertheless, the construction was re-newed again just in 1952. Several preserved sketches (drawings), and the rest, had to be supposed by builders. So, the building was effected in team-spirit of Master´s ideas, although he never worked out definitive version of such grandiose project. So, when the construction continued, the Cathedral got subsequently for more complete forms.

In 1900, new style, modernism, was carried out in Europe. This styl became characteristic with its „return to roots and nature forms“. So, this style is known as Jugendstil in Germany, as Art Nouveau in France, and as Modern Style in Great Britain. Return to the nature found its vindication especially in Catalania. So, even in Barcelona town quarter of Quadrat d´Or, you can find at least twenty-seven houses of this modernistic style, the works of various architects, including Gaudi. No doubt, this architect became as most important representative of such direction, which became unique, thanks to its symbolic decoration style, expressive constructions and spacial forms.

Present time 

Gaudi thought the man as a part of the nature, so the floors, suggested by him, would present the lodges, where the people could be hidden against the world. His rooms do not have the forms of cubes joining each other, on the other hand, they are proud on their running lines You do not find there not even pointed corners nor edges. Gaudi preferred traditional materials as well as variegated combinations of colours. So, he wished also to let painted the Cathedral with many colours. East frontal facade put, with its light colours, mens´ redemption, whereas west facade, made in darker colour shades, is a symbolism of mens´ distress. From total number of eighteen towers, sixteen towers were worshiped to Apostles and Evangelists, whereas two remaining ones to Virgin Mary and her Son. Gaudi succeeded to consolidate in masterly way profits of modern society. So, to standard eqiuipment of his lodging houses belong, for instance, shavings´ shafts, cellar garages or movable walls. Gaudi did the tests also with air -condition. He suggested also original door handles, tiles, lamps or balconies. Now, Holy Family Cathedral is being continued in its construction, similarly in such high speed as it was in Middle Age, So, eighteen towers of screw form are rising, south frontal part is finished, whereas north portal was added in several statues. So, Gaudi´s dream is being realized subsequently. However, the finish of this construction is expected by admirers of Holy Family with some apprehension. It is obvious that the magnificency of Gaudi´s work helps a fact that cathedral construction remains unfinished.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Picasaweb.com