Latest news with #SagradaFamilia


The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Major alert as Irish holidaymakers urged to ‘cancel' trips to Spain amid anti-tourist protest fears
A MAJOR alert has been issued to Irish holiday makers amid ongoing anti-tourist protests in Spain. The 5 Protests have been growing more frequent across mainland Spain and the Canary Island Credit: Getty Images 5 Further protests will see hotspots blocked Credit: Getty Images 5 Tourists are even cancelling their trips over protest fears Credit: Canarian Weekly Locals are taking action against rising costs of residential accommodation and falling levels of availability. Figures reveal the average cost of rents in The availability of residential lets in many of these areas has also fallen, adding fuel to the fire. Protests over the past year have already seen READ MORE IN TRAVEL Separate And further action is planned this month, next month and in to the summer. New protest action throughout June will see protestors will block access to famous attractions such as the Sagrada Familia. Similar events will take place across the Most read in News Travel It is understood demonstrations at airports are also planned and protesters will blockade buses carrying tourists. And now Steve Heapy, chief at Jet2, has warned Irish holiday makers are considering cancelling their trips. Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks The airline boss has said the ongoing protests are becoming "increasingly vocal." He said: "Protesters are becoming increasingly vocal, and that's making some people question whether now is the right time to go." And tourists have been taking to One person said: "If it were me, I'd see if I could go somewhere else. "A holiday is a time of relaxation, time with the family, having to worry about the locals reaction and protest would spoil your enjoyment." Another added: "We had a holiday booked to Ibiza but changed it to Greece. The people in Greece are so welcoming. "We used to enjoy Spain but won't go where we're not wanted." 'BE PREPARED' The Department of Forgein affairs have issued advice for Irish tourists who do plan on visiting Spain over the summer. The warn Irish abroad not to engage in protests and follow the advice of officials. In the alert the DFA say: "Public gatherings and demonstrations can at times take place with little or no warning. "We recommend that you stay clear of demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities. "Protests may cause disruption to transport and other services. "Be prepared to adjust your travel plans at short notice if necessary, and allow yourself extra time for your journey. "You should also check for travel updates or transport delays before and during your trip to Spain." 5 Protesters have made their stance clear Credit: Getty Images 5 Rising costs and hospitality salaries have been at the centre of recent protests Credit: CanarianWeekly


Times
05-05-2025
- General
- Times
Give Barcelona's grid Unesco status, say fans of planning pioneer
The 19th-century grid layout of Barcelona's Eixample district helped give rise to modern town planning and is regarded to be as historically important as Georges-Eugène Haussmann's Paris. Its creator, Ildefons Cerdà, who coined the term 'urbanisation', was panned by his rivals for producing 'one of the biggest horrors of the world' and for transforming spaces 'into the monotony of an American city'. However, the 'Cerdà plan', which rescued Barcelona's medieval city centre from collapse, has stood the test of time. A group of architects, town planners and engineers have proposed that Unesco declare Eixample a protected world heritage site, bestowing a fitting status to a district that is home to architectural landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia. The promoters of the initiative argued that
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
One of the Pope's Final Moves Was to Put Architect Antonio Gaudí on the Path to Sainthood
In the final days of his life, Pope Francis put famed modernist architect Antoni Gaudí on the path to sainthood. The move—announced just days before the Pope passed away on Monday, at the age of 88—was a parting act of reverence to the visionary architect. The pope declared Gaudí 'venerable' during an April 14 audience with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro at the Vatican, according to a statement. This is a key step in the Catholic Church's formal canonization process. Becoming a saint is a complex process that can take hundreds of years and involves four stages. Gaudí was previously named Servant of God, and now, Venerable. The next milestones are Beautification (which requires proof of two certified miracles) and finally Sainthood (which requires evidence of virtue and divine intervention). Dubbed by the Vatican's media outlet, Vatican News, as 'God's Architect,' Gaudí was a fierce exponent of Catalan modernism, with works that have a sui generis style. His buildings were known to fuse traditional Gothic elements with bold, organic forms drawn from nature. He dedicated more than 40 years of his life to building his magnum opus, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, a seamless blend of Gothic inspiration and innovative structural engineering. After being struck by a tram in 1926, he was buried in the crypt of the very basilica he spent his life constructing. Nearly a century after his death, it remains unfinished. The church was expected to be finished in 2026, also the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death. However, the target date for its completion was postponed indefinitely after the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the tourist revenues used to fund construction. That said, more than 4.8 million people visited the basilica in 2024 to see its soaring spires, intricate facades, and prismatic stained-glass windows, according to the basilica's report. Over the course of his life, Gaudí developed a deeply spiritual approach to architecture, viewing his craft as a form of worship. "My client is not in a hurry," he would reportedly say when asked about the timeline for the Sagrada Familia's completion. While Pope Francis's papacy was marked by progressive messaging and a focus on humility, his decision to elevate Gaudí underlined a broader theme of his tenure: celebrating holiness not just in clergy, but in everyday vocations—artists, scientists, and now, architects. You Might Also Like From the Archive: Tour Sarah Jessica Parker's Relaxed Hamptons Retreat 75 Small (But Mighty) Kitchens to Steal Inspiration from Right This Instant


Observer
20-04-2025
- Observer
Sagrada Familia architect Gaudi on path to sainthood
Pope Francis has approved the first step towards sainthood for Antoni Gaudi, the modernist architect behind Barcelona's "Sagrada Familia" basilica, the Vatican said on Monday. Gaudi was a pious man who worked for more than 40 years on the Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world, a UNESCO world heritage site, and one Europe's biggest tourist draws. Francis approved a decree recognising Gaudi's "heroic virtues", the Vatican said in a statement. For him to be beatified, the next step in the process of becoming a saint, a miracle would have to be attributed to Gaudi. After that, a second miracle would be required for him to be declared a saint. Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882, but the project, known for its soaring Gothic spires, remains unfinished even after Gaudi devoted the last 12 years of his life exclusively to the project. It was meant to be completed by 2026, the centenary of the death of Gaudi, whom the Vatican's media outlet, Vatican News, has referred to as "God's architect". The the target date was postponed indefinitely after the COVID-19 pandemic reduced tourist revenues used to fund construction. Gaudí is celebrated for his unique style that harmoniously blends organic forms with vibrant colors and intricate details. In recognition of his monumental contributions, several of Gaudí's works have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, solidifying his place as one of the most influential architects in history. Other than the Sagrada Família, an awe-inspiring basilica that remains under construction more than a century after it was initiated Park Güell, a colorful public park adorned with whimsical structures and vivid mosaics, is another highlight of his legacy. Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera) are further exemplars of Gaudí's genius, featuring wavy stone façades and ornate wrought-iron balconies that defy conventional architecture. Each of these works reflects his passion for geometry and his deep religious faith, leaving a lasting imprint on the city's cultural landscape.—Reuters
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Social Rundown: Holy Week rugs, Starlink satellites, and celestial ‘Smiley Face'
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Welcome back to the Social Rundown, where you can learn about the online trends happening globally and in Texoma, too! Want to get the latest tea or news on what's trending on social media? Tune in daily! Holy Week rug art Many are celebrating this week, known as holy week, and in Ohio, a decade-old tradition is bringing color, culture, and community. Parishioners at Sagrada Familia in Cleveland have transformed their church floors into works of art. This all stems from a tradition that's deeply rooted in Latin America, where people actually do it in the streets. Alfombras, which means carpets or rugs in Spanish, are dyed sawdust carpets built to celebrate Holy Week and honor their roots. Starlink train in the sky On Monday, April 14, Starlink confirmed it had launched 27 new satellites into space. The line of lights resembles those seen in previous videos and is known to be the launch train of Starlink satellites. If you enjoy watching all the stars align in the sky or moon eclipse phases, you'll want to watch this event in the sky next week. Celestial 'Smiley Face' A rare celestial 'smiley face' will be visible for stargazers next week on Friday, April 25. The 'smiley face' will result from the thin crescent moon while Venus and Saturn are positioned around it. No special equipment will be needed to see this awesomeness! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.