Laos - Plain of Jars
Foto: The Sagrada FamÃlia in Barcelona. (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Spain - The Sagrada Família, officially Basílica y Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, is a basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí. The name means Holy Family. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day. Work paused for several years during the Spanish Civil War. The official completion date is currently set for 2026, though the builders estimate it may be done sometime in the first third of the 21st century. Progress largely depends on visitor donations. Construction has taken so long that some finished parts are already undergoing renovation—this is not unusual for churches of this size. Although not yet completed, the church was consecrated as a basilica on November 7, 2010, by Pope Benedict XVI. Besides the Sagrada Família, Gaudí also designed other iconic buildings in Barcelona, such as Casa Batlló and Park Güell. As a pioneer of Catalan Modernism—a movement closely related to Art Nouveau—Gaudí made the Sagrada Família the symbol of the style in Barcelona.
Video
Historic city of Toledo
Spain - Toledo, one of the oldest cities in Spain, was once the capital of the Iberian Carpetani and was conquered by the Romans in 192 BC, who named it Toletum. The city lies on the banks of the Tagus River, southwest of the capital Madrid. With its rich history ...
The Cathedral of Toledo
Spain - The Cathedral of Toledo in Toledo is one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in Spain. It was built between 1227 and 1493 on the site of a former Moorish mosque and is dedicated to Mary. The 90-meter-high north tower contains the famous Campana Gorda, ...
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Spain - From the bridge, beneath the Arcs Rouges, I see the modern Guggenheim Museum on the opposite bank — it looks stunning. What a unique building. The thousands of titanium panels shimmer in the sunlight. In front of the museum stands the five-meter-tall ...
The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
Spain - Santiago de Compostela, along with Jerusalem and Rome, is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations in the world. The pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St. James) leads to the tomb of the apostle James in Santiago ...
The Spanish capital Madrid
Spain - The center of Spain’s capital Madrid is compact and atmospheric. When walking through the city, it doesn’t feel like a typical capital. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance. The Palacio Real, the royal palace, is well worth a visit ...