God, I kill me.

successful religious scams. What did it cost to build that outstanding structure, the gauche tribute to lies, ignorance and deception? And the never ending costs for upkeep, maintenance and repairs to that keep that magnum opus of human greed churning out a doctrine fear, superstition, hate and bigotry over the centuries, why, it boggles my noggin.

For the money spent creating that trophy to deceitful dogma, how many hospitals and schools could have been built? How many poor kids could have had a college education? How many women could have been uplifted, or little girls supported to achieve their full potential? How many houses might have been built for refugees, or safe water wells installed in impoverished communities?

I agree with your feelings on religion, but this church is a work of art. Yes the money could be used in other ways, but the workers appreciate the checks, and so does his family, and the businesses that get a share of the paycheck.

the tourist fees that are now being used to defray construction costs, afterwards that will add as much as $20million to the church coffers.

Hungry kids can't eat works of art, but if they got an education maybe they could have a job that affords them the opportunity to support artists and buy art for themselves. Just saying...

with the occasional break for the odd war or three. So its construction has supported generations of workers.

And with a building of this scope it will always need artisans to keep it in good repair.

I'm not banging a drum for religion, and your point is taken about education. I'm just not as cynical as you would appear to be.

I'm reading Dan Brown's book 'Origin' now - and this church plays an important role in the book. It helps to visualize this church and it makes the book all that more interesting.

provide strength

Generations of families would work on these projects for years. You will never see structures like this built again, so appreciate it for what it is.

they represent a lifetime of work - complete dedication

he was an architectural genius using mathematics and life sciences in his designs - just an incredible artist

We are headed there in September.

so many photo opportunities

Also, Quimet-Quimet at Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25 in the Poble Sec neighborhood. Stand up tapas bar, and dishes all made with tinned fish, meat, and vegetables. Amazingly wonderful.

And besides the Gaudi, check out the Maritime Museum. There is a galley that fought at LaPanto. Along with a large collection of smaller boats.

Such amazing imagination Gaudi had - it's both strange and magnificent. The other one I want to see someday is Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik.

Thanks so much for posting.

My parents were in Spain last year and they "think" they were at this cathedral. I was like, Um, you think you were there? Pretty sure you would remember! But, they were kind of on a whirlwind tour and it was before the docs just roto-rootered the arteries around my dad's heart, so, they were struggling.

But damn, what a thing to forget.