BARCELONA, Spain – An evening Mass at Sagrada Familia parish in Barcelona is experiencing challenges as it accommodates both worshippers and tourists. The iconic sacred site, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, is one of Europe’s most visited monuments. As tourism reaches pre-pandemic levels in Barcelona and southern Europe, churches are struggling to strike a balance between providing spiritual services and catering to the millions of tourists who come to view the art and architecture. Measures such as separate entry queues, restricted visitation during worship times, and holding services in discrete places are being implemented to alleviate the strain. The challenge lies in maintaining the spiritual purpose of these churches while also accommodating the needs of both worshippers and tourists. The Vatican has opened a separate pathway for those who wish to pray or attend Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica to avoid long queues. However, the demand for the limited number of tickets for the multilingual Sunday Mass at Sagrada Familia often results in disappointment for many worshippers. The coexistence of worshippers and tourists is also a contentious issue at other sites, such as Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, which was recently converted back into a functioning mosque. Striking a balance is crucial to ensure that these sacred sites continue to serve their spiritual purpose while also providing valuable cultural and historical experiences for tourists.
Europe’s iconic churches struggle to juggle worship and tourism as floods of sightseers pour in
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