Situation:
- Sagrada Familia is located in the Eixample area of Barcelona. It is centrally located and the Sagrada Familia can be seen from all different areas of Barcelona because of its immense structure.
Public Transportation:
- Since the Sagrada Familia is such a well known church and area in Barcelona, the metro stops are very conveniently located. There are two main metro stops: Sant Pau / Dos de Maig (L5) and Sagrada Familia (L2/L5).
Social Composition:
- From what I have seen after living here for 2 months, this neighborhood is very much residential, especially around my street. It is probably 75% residential, 25% tourists.
- Many of the residential homes are families. It has a mixture of ages as well, ranging from the young children who live next door to my apartment to the older lady who lives a few floors up. Walking up and down the streets you can see the range of ages as well.
- However, as you go closer to the Sagrada Familia, it turns to tourists. If someone goes to Barcelona and misses seeing the Sagrada Familia they are surely missing out. The line to get in goes around the corner and wraps around half of the church. Around the Sagrada Familia, there are tourist shops and chain restaurants. Around the Sagrada Familia church itself, I would say it turns to 80% tourists, 20% residential.
Sagrada Familia:
- Arguably the most well known monument and church in all of Spain, if not all the world. I am so lucky to be living so close to such an extraordinary church. Every time I walk past it, I notice something new about the architecture. There is so much to see and I am in awe every time I see it.
- The Church was built by Antoni Gaudi starting in 1883. It was built as a Roman Catholic Church and combines Art Nouveau and Gothic styles.
- When Gaudi died in 1926, the church was only 15-25% complete.
- After Gaudi died, Domènec Sugrañes i Gras took over the construction of the church. However, the construction was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War. Many other architects have had a role in finishing the church, which has still yet to be finished.
- Estimated time that the Church will be finished is in 2026, the centennial of Gaudi's death.
- It has many religious aspects, many towers, nativity symbols, geometric style and a lot of symbolism.
Mercat:
- Located below the library at the Centre Civic, called Mercat Sagrada Familia.
- Open Tuesday-Thursday 7am-2pm and 5:30pm-8:30pm; Friday 7am-8:30pm; Saturday 7am-2pm.
- Have all sorts of fish, meats, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, breads and nuts
- Very reasonable priced - cheap produce and fish and many locals go to buy their meats and fruits here.
- All of the fish is fresh since most of the fish are still moving and have the heads still on them. When you want to buy something, they cut it up right in front of you so you know it is good quality.
Library:
- Located above the market in the Civic Center, called Biblioteca Centre Civic.
- It is open Monday-Friday 9am-9pm; Saturdays 10am-2pm; Sundays 4pm-8pm.
- They have books, music performance, poetry, lectures and activities for children. They also have computers and internet that is open for public use.
Hospital Sant Pau:
- The Hospital was built between 1901-1930 and was designed by the modern Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
- It was a functioning hospital until June 2009 and now it is being renovated into a museum and cultural center for the public. However, you can still take tours of the hospital so see what it looks like from the inside.
- It was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Although much of the building was built in the 1900s, the original structure was built in the early 1400s when 6 local hospital combined to form one.
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