Surely the most extraordinary church on the planet, from the mind of one of history's most eccentric designers: Antoni Gaudi. With its tapering towers like the straightened arms of an octopus, construction of Sagrada Familia began in 1882, though Gaudi's vision was so complex that the church is still unfinished. It will ultimately feature three facades and 18 towers, the tallest of them (170 m) representing Jesus Christ. Plans are to have the Barcelona icon completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death, although it will almost be a shame now to see it finished.
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Text reproduced with permission from Bluelist 2007, copyright 2006 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.
