After we left fragments of memories and prayers in the Western Wall of Jerusalem, I profoundly found myself catching a breeze on the open deck of the ship while on the voyage to historical Spain, as the sea waves created an incredible current, leading to an extraordinary and unexpected experience soon. Later on, after a marathon, not a sprint, the ship docked in a wonderful city in Spain: the Mediterranean, vibrant, and colorful Barcelona City.
It was a metaphoric place for artistic wonderland.
Barcelona, Spain, gained popularity in the Philippines when the famous movie Barcelona: A Love Untold was aired on Philippine National Television, creating an impression in the minds of Filipinos. The movie had Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, famous personalities in showbiz, leading the cast for a heartbreaking drama featuring a young man trying to get away from his past relationship. Other successful movies were also filmed in Barcelona, such as BirdBox and God's Crooked Lines, making it more attractive to tourists as different movies feature the Mediterranean design of Barcelona. After the movie Barcelona: A Love Untold was filmed there in 2016, two years later, I was sitting on a public bench outside the Sagrada Familia, the specific location given importance by the movie and where the team shot scenes showing Ely acting as a tourist guide in the Sagrada Familia church.
Sagrada Familia was built in 1882, which has yet to be finished, to serve as an atonement for asking forgiveness for the sins Barcelona had committed way back then. It is now 144 years under construction, and the locals suggest it will be ready in 2026. The unfinished church is known for its Nativity Facade and crypt, which are considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Moreover, it is the world's second-most visited basilica attraction, with Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican considered the first. Antonio Gaudi, a Catalan designer, proved how the human mind can create incredible details and infrastructure by building the Sagrada Familia with a combination of Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism, and Spanish Late Gothic styles. Mixing human mind capacity and architectural design, a towering basilica has been made figuratively and has been prominently used to teach Catholicism in the city through architecture.
Certainly, Sagrada Familia is a product of influential art and universal details.
Barcelona, Spain, is like going back to Philippine history. Well, obviously, we were under the Spanish government during colonization, and some details present in the Philippines, especially the language, reflect the past governing domination. Common words like Diyos (God) and Eskwela (school) are still used in the present generation, and Spanish influence in the Filipino language can apparently be seen in the architecture, system, and traditions of the Filipino people. Honestly, I remember how they giggled and tickled my stomach as they spoke their own language, Catalan. Listening to those words and the way they spoke made me flattered, and maybe it is because I effortlessly understood them with my terminology familiarity.
Going back, when we finally docked, the beauty of the city could be seen firsthand just around the port. And since Barcelona is an embarkation port, our ship stayed at the port for three days. Many accessible attractions are located nearby, and for three days, we usually stroll on La Rambla, an iconic boulevard in the heart of Barcelona. La Ramba, for your reference, is a well-known street in the city known for its music, artistic shows, mimes, and terraces full of life. Just around the corner, we often eat at the Unli seafood buffet, and honestly, the food in Barcelona is very delicate and delicious! Barcelona really offers palatable and satisfying foods.
When we found ourselves bored in La Rambla, we then traveled to Sagrada Familia. However, going there is too far, and tourists should be early for the journey, regardless of the mode of transportation, to reach the site early and enjoy the rest of the time. Additionally, a train ride is a suggestion. I also remember after we left the train, I ate KFC at a nearby store with Sagrada Familia as a background. Isn't it unusual? Normally, in the Philippines, we eat KFC preferably in a mall to enjoy the food, but I was able to eat it with the Sagrada Familia view.
Arriving in the Sagrada Familia, majestic facades and the actual details of Gaudi greet a serenade for the tourist. Outside, the three primary facades of the basilica can be found, namely: the Nativity façades, which symbolize Jesus's birth; the Passion façades, which represent Jesus' Passion, resurrection, and death; and lastly, the Glory façades, which depict Jesus' glory into heaven. In the interior, a crypt, an altar, a museum and a stained glass window are striking in their majestic design. Personally, to understand the art of the place, tourists should immerse themselves in the place beyond their senses and try to contemplate the unique concept offered inside. The transcending glory of stained glass window lights in the temple is the most colorful feature of the cathedral. Often, in many cathedrals, the highest reaches of stained glass windows can be located where there is more unobstructed light outside. And just below, the shadows of trees and infrastructure are less intense. But in Sagrada Familia, Gaudi made a unique style of stained glass. The transparent glasses are on the highest point where the lights can strike and illuminate the abstract mosaic. Moreover, text and visuals are located below so that every tourist can have a glimpse for once. The altar of the church is considered the most important part of the place. It is made from precious porphyry marble carved in Iran and surrounded by two columns dedicated to St. Paul and St. Peter. Lastly, the Sagrada Familia Museum shouldn't be missed when visiting. It is a close area primarily made to help tourists understand the significance and complexity of Gaudi's concept. The museum is a discovery of Gaudi's life; apart from being an architect, his drawings and linking documents were stored and carefully kept in the museum. So basically, the inside part of the basilica holds a very large portion of Gaudi's idea, which unifies Barcelonians and their own Catholic spirits.
The temple is full of activities offered so that visitors can satisfyingly enjoy the place. Tourists can greet the tall towers and intricately designed Nativity façade of the basilica. The place also offers a tour of the Passion facade to see sculptures depicting the final days of Jesus Christ. And talking about tours, you can go around the outside area riding an e-bike to make sure you don't miss anything. On top of that, when your feet are tired from biking, wander around Place de Gaudi, near the basilica, and take once-in-a-lifetime memorable photos.
Indeed, Barcelona is an architectural wonderland, attracting thousands of tourists one at a time. From the famous boulevard and food to Gaudi's intricate basilica, Barcelona never disappoints tourists visiting for its unique architecture and corners. The golden highlight of this place is the fact that it consistently reminds Catholicism and buries Christianity in the hearts of Catalans and tourists.
So, you see, when someone leaves the heart of Barcelona, an important lesson and unique story have been stored in their blood vessels, pumped by their very own hearts. And to leave Barcelona, Spain, means you are almost there, fulfilling the life you deserve, alongside the memories astonished by the beauty of the world.
Majestic fjords and serene rivers from Norway, paradise-like coasts and islands in Thailand, and the towering Western Wall of Jerusalem are the glories of life I saw. Then, after my voyage, I once reached Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, a sight to behold and keep for a lifetime.
What else have I seen in life?
For the next column, a new testament of experiences and success will be written after my voyage to Barcelona, Spain. Words and tongues of activities and attractions will flourish in time, and you will remember the wisdom of life once again.
Into the next destination!
Although life's not certain. My dear, I pledge to always write for you.
Here's a solemn vow.
To my readers,