Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família, is a massive, privately-funded Roman Catholic church that has been under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain since 1882 and is not expected to be complete until at least 2026. Considered the master-work of renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, the project’s vast scale and idiosyncratic design have made it one of Barcelona’s and Spain’s most famous sights for many years.
Photo by Wolfgang Staudt
The Sagrada Familia was designed by Antoni Gaudí, who worked on the project for over 40 years. Gaudi devoted the last 15 years of his life entirely to the endeavor. After Gaudí’s death in 1926, work continued until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Parts of the unfinished church and Gaudí’s models and workshop were destroyed during the war by Catalan anarchists. The present design is based on reconstructed versions of the lost plans as well as on modern adaptations. The building works are expected to be completed around 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death, although the likelihood of meeting this date is disputed.
Photo by SlapBcn
Every part of the design of La Sagrada Família is rich with Christian symbolism. Its most striking aspect is its spindle-shaped bell towers. A total of 18 tall towers, representing in ascending order of height the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ. The Church will have three grand façades: the Nativity façade to the East, the Glory façade to the South and the Passion façade to the West. The Nativity facade was built before work was interrupted in 1935 and bears the most direct Gaudí influence.
Construction on Sagrada Família is not supported by any government or official church sources. Private patrons funded the initial stages. Money from tickets purchased by tourists is now used to pay for the work, and private donations are accepted through the Friends of the Temple.
Sagrada Família Visitor Information
Opening hours between October and March are from 9.00 to 18.00, between April and September from 9.00 to 20.00, and 25 and 26 December, 1 and 6 January from 9.00 to 14.00.
Admission is available at various rates from 9 euros to 15 euros.
To get to the top, visitors can either pay to use the lift or climb the narrow spiral stair cases.