By day, it rises up from Barcelona like an art nouveau dream. By night, it looms over the city like a Gothic nightmare. Whether it is seen by day or by night, visitors are always impressed by the grandiose architecture and monumental presence of La Sagrada Familia (the Church of the Holy Family).

Begun in 1882, the project was originally conceived by church architect Francisco de Villar. However, the real mastermind behind the unique and elegant edifice is Barcelona's favorite son, Antonio Gaudi. When he took over the project in 1884, he truly made the work his own.

Over the course of building La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi evolved into a passionate artist possessed by his faith. He became engrossed in the symbolism of the building, which resulted in an architectural style that is both imposing and unmatched.

Gaudi's plans for La Sagrada Familia were greatly influenced by the Christian scriptures. Each facade signifies a part of the life of Christ, and each of the 12 belltowers crowning the facades symbolizes one of Christ's apostles.

Gaudi dedicated more than 40 years of his life to building the church. Yet when he died in 1926, the building was still incomplete. Work on the edifice has continued---off and on---for more than 75 years since then. To this day, the church remains a work in progress and a testament to an artist's unfinished dream.

1. grandiose a. 宏伟的

2. mastermind n. 策划人

3. imposing a. 壮丽的，堂皇的

4. facade n. （建筑物的）正面

白天，它像新的艺术绮梦，矗立在巴塞罗纳。夜晚，它仿佛歌特式的梦魇，笼罩着这座城市。无论是在白天或夜晚参观圣家堂，旅客们都会对它的雄伟建筑和恢弘气势留下深刻的印象。

这项工程最初是教堂建筑师Francisco de Villar1882年开始构思的。然而，这幢独特而高雅的建筑背后真正的策划者，是巴塞罗纳杰出的建筑师安东尼奥·高迪。他1884年接手后，便按照自己的风格来设计这件作品。

在建造圣家堂期间，高迪逐渐成为一位执着于自己的信念、充满激情的艺术家。他全神贯注地构思这栋建筑的象征意义，造就了一种富丽堂皇、无与伦比的建筑风格。

高迪对圣家堂的设计深受圣经的影响。建筑的每一面都象征着基督人生的一个阶段，而砌于各面顶端的12座钟楼，每一座都象征着基督的一位使徒。

高迪花了40多年的心血来建造这座教堂。然而，当他在1926年去世时，这座建筑仍未竣工。后来，建筑工程又断断续续地进行了75年多。直到现在，这座教堂仍在建设中，它是一位艺术家未完成的梦想的明证。