
GaudÃ: God’s architect
How Antoni Gaudà became God’s architect
In one of his final official acts before he died, Pope Francis put Antoni GaudÃ, Spain’s most famous architect, onto the path to sainthood.
GaudÃ's masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, is a towering basilica, strangely designed and bursting with colour. It stands in the heart of Barcelona and its walls recount the entire story of the Catholic religion. After 140 years, having survived wars, arson attacks and dictatorship, it is still under construction. As Gaudà worked on it throughout his life, he became obsessive and it intensified his devotion. By the end of his life he was living like a monk.
Today, millions come every year to see his work. Some have been so affected by his art and approach they have converted to Catholicism. The process to confirm Gaudà as a saint is secretive and potentially long. But for the creator of the world’s longest ongoing construction, there’s no rush.
The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Max Horberry has been to Barcelona to see GaudÃ's work and speak to the people who have been working to finish the Sagrada Familia and campaigning for GaudÃ's sainthood. We will find out more about the path to sainthood and how architecture, nature and religion intertwine in GaudÃ’s life.
Producer/Presenter: Max Horberry
Executive Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Chloe Walker
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
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