Barcelona, Spain – The towering sandstone forest of La Sagrada Familia is bathed in a warm glow of ambient colour.
Searching for a pot of God.
Flames flicker on the floor. Sunrise stretches over branched ceilings.
It's as though all seasons are present at once and you can't help but look up – to gawk, even. When I last stood on this spot 30 years ago, it was the site of a gift shop and of continuous construction.
Now, it's a place of prayer in the world's tallest church.
And, next year, after 144 years, the chisels are rumoured to finally stop – construction of the basilica will be complete.
Walking around the south side, though, I have my suspicions.
Having received one of the earliest entrance times, I step outside and have the entire front of the building to myself.
I'm lost in the enormity of the moment.
Intricate carvings appear to crawl from the stone. Seasonal fruits in reds and oranges adorn the spires, dotting the sky with colour. A green cypress tree, reminiscent of Christmas, is decked with 21 doves. Delicate bronze trumpets, muted and turned green, are pressed to stone lips.
I may not be the slightest bit religious, but I'm still awed.
And humbled by Gaudi's vision.
