===== From Wikipedia =====
The Basílica de la Sagrada Família, also known as the Sagrada Família, is a large unfinished minor basilica in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), his work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica.
On 19 March 1882, construction of the Sagrada Família began under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned, Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the crypt. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete.
The Sagrada Família’s construction was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, and partially destroyed by revolutionaries, but it has since be recontructed, due to be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death, but has now been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Obviously, Sagrada Familia is a MUST if you ever visit Barcelona, Spain. Actually, Sagrada Familia always has open door days, free tickets and free international masses on most Sunday mornings at 9am, but the capacity is very limited, so you should start lining up as early as possible.
https://barcelona-top-travel-tips.com/free-tickets-sagrada-familia/
For me, it was not a problem at all, because I always jogged in early mornings before dawn, and where I stayed was only 5min walk from Sagrada Familia. I love the fresh air and quietness of early mornings, and Spain is perfectly safe! By jogging around, I could enjoy the scenery of my neighborhood to the fullest. Many of my best photos were taken with moonlight behind it, how romantic!
In fact, I almost jogged pass Sagrada Familia every morning in the dark. It looked so special under the moonlight.
On Sunday, I came back from my jogging at around 7am? And I already saw people started to line up, so without returning to the apartment for a change of clothes or shower, I just started to line up as well. Luckily, I bought foldable down jacket with me.
In fact, I spent quite a long time in the line, passing through several gates for body check, bag check… It was reasonable though, I didn’t mind.
The outside of Sagrada Familia was still under construction, some parts covered and several huge cranes around it, but I could still see the extraordinary structure of the building. It was so large and tall.
Slowly, we walked inside and seated quietly. I was early enough to be seated at tge middle of the hall, best location. The inside was overwhelming as well. It totally felt like you were in a different world. The decorations/signs on all 4 sides were slightly different, somewhat looked like the design of Park Guell, but the decorations at all 4 sides are different.
The inside of Sagrada Familia looked magnificent, it makes you feel like you are at heaven. Later, the choir starts. That really felt like sound from the heaven. We received little leaflet. It was supposed to be an international mass, so I expected that I could understand something they said, but not really, maybe only a few words at the beginning, but it didn’t matter! I was so happy to seat in there, and for free!
Too bad my family were much slower… Even though our apartment was only 5min away, they took time to eat breakfast… so they had to buy tickets and only got in around noon, of course they didn’t get to hear the beautiful choir either.
