Tibidabo

…et dixit illi haec tibi omnia dabo si cadens adoraveris me

“And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9)

This is the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, the Catholic Temple of the Sacred Heart. It is the highest point in Barcelona. Whatever the heat in town, you can be sure it will be nicer up here, 512 meters higher (and even higher if you pay the 2 euros to take the lift which brings you almost to the top of the church).

About the name Tibidabo itself: this phrase, meaning I will give to you, was said to Jesus by the Devil as they looked down from an exceeding high mountain upon all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. The name of Barcelona’s hill thus refers to the popular tradition that it was in fact the exceedingly high mountain itself. In other words, the Devil tried to tempt Jesus by showing him Barcelona… Barceloneses think very highly of their town!

Surprisingly, there is a popular amusement park just next to the church. Sign of times, I suppose.

If you want to know more about it, please click here.