The High Altar

Now let’s go towards the apse, where we will first of all be able to look at the chancel, which is the most important part of the church, as it is the area where the clergy celebrate Mass. It is also the location of the High Altar, which is the table-shaped structure you see in front of you. This one is a block of porphyry from Iran. Its sides have been smoothed and its top polished. I like my successors’ idea, because they have managed to create a piece that is both visually and aesthetically powerful. The altar is flanked by two large columns dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul.

Now turn your gaze upwards and look at the Expressionist “Crucifixion of Christ”, suspended above the altar. It is a bronze version of a work by Carlos Maní. The sculpture hangs from a replica of the canopy that my good friend Jujol and myself made for the Cathedral in Mallorca.

Before we continue on our way, let me just tell you that dome above us, over the apse, is covered with a golden mosaic depicting two very simple geometric shapes: a triangle within a circle. Do you know what they mean? The triangular shape symbolizes the Trinity, which is inside the world it has created, which is circular. I explained to you earlier that in the Sagrada Familia, every single feature has a symbolic meaning behind it – so keep your eyes peeled!



(c) (R) 2013, MUSMon com S.L.
Text (a) Diego Laforga Marcos (2013)

Picture:
Source: Own work
Author: Carlos Marcos (2013)