Our path to date:
Starting off in Lisbon, Portugal, we made our way up to Porto, Portugal (along the Atlantic Ocean) and then over to Salamanca, Spain, onto Madrid, down to Marbella with a stop off in Cordoba, then up to Alicante for a night, another stop off in Valencia and then up to Barcelona. For a total of 1,572 miles or 2,529 km.
Sagrada Familia Basilica
Spain’s national treasure is Sagrada Familia Basilica located in Barcelona. A congregation of St. Joseph’s devotees decided to build a temple in his honor. Fifteen years later the work began. This was in 1882. The original plans called for 18 towers representing the 12 apostles, 4 evangelists, the Virgin Mary and the tallest tower is for Jesus. This is a work in progress and as of today only 8 of the towers is complete. The work is expected to be completed in 2026.
Other than honoring Joseph, the purpose for building the Basilica is to teach Catholicism through architecture. The building is a Bible Story beginning with the birth of Jesus and ending with his death. Familia refers to the people responsible for enabling this to be built. Those being the carpenters, businessmen, visitors and all involved in the upkeep. The Catholic Church has no involvement with the Basilica financially and therefore has no say in any of the architecture.
The architecture is truly spectacular with high ceilings, beautiful stained glass windows, extreme detail in the many carvings and statues, and the tall columns. It is very beautiful, one of a kind, something to see.
St. George’s Day
Once again, we have arrived just in time for a city celebration. St. George’s Day. It is kind of like Valentine’s Day but much more celebrated in Barcelona. Here is how the story goes:
Back in 1435 there was a dragon that was terrorizing the land, destroying homes and eating up the people. The king was beside himself and wasn’t sure what to do so he called a meeting with the dragon to find out what needed to be done to get the dragon to stop. The dragon told him that if he would give up his daughter, he would leave the people of his kingdom alone. The king went home distraught over his dilemma but finally told his daughter that she was going to have to be sacrificed for the sake of the people of his kingdom. Take one for the team! Just as the king was getting ready to give up his daughter, St. George swooped in and slayed the dragon, thereby saving the princess. The princess fell madly in love with St. George and they were married and lived happily ever after.
Isn’t that cute? So the tradition is that roses symbolize the blood from the dragon and the men are supposed to buy a rose for each of the women in their life. The women are supposed to give a book to the man in their life.
Seems like a perfectly harmless celebration?
There are streets full of book vendors and rose vendors, people everywhere and the stores and streets are closed off. Of course we were scheduled to leave Barcelona today and we could not find a way into the parking garage to get our car. What we learned from this is that there is a huge underground parking system in this part of the city with several places to enter and exit the garage. Of course, we had to walk all over town, with our bags, to find one of these places, but we found one!
A few other observations about Spain and it’s people:
It almost never rains here. The rivers are all dried up. They are in a 4-year drought.
When the temperature is 70 degrees, most people are wearing winter coats and scarves.
There is almost no crime in Barcelona (according to our tour guide).
In the taxi’s, hotels and restaurants all the music is American music.
Spain has 17 states or provinces and each one has a different dialect.
There are Burger Kings, McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chickens everywhere.
The graffitti here is art and it is how the local artists get started.
There are hardly any older people walking the streets, most are 30 and younger.
Remember corn nuts? They are popular here, served at all the bars.
It is time for us to leave this beautiful, historical, unique country called Espana. We have enjoyed our time here and hope to come back someday.
Where would we go?
DEFINITELY BARCELONA!!
Adios Espana! Hasta la proxima vez.
The basilica is amazing! Thanks for the great photos – they capture the stained glass windows and their reflection of color so well. I’m really enjoying this trip you’re on.
Portugal and Spain have definitely been on our bucket list the last few years. Seeing your pictures, adventures, and stories makes us want to move it up the list!
Hey Phillip! I would love knowing that I influenced you to take a vacation sooner than expected 🙂
The Basilica is beautiful!!
Barcelona sounds absolutely amazing!
So fascinating! That basilica is incredible. It must be hard to take it all in.
It sounds like you are having the trip of a lifetime.