Sagrada Familia Barcelona

The Sagrada Familia History

Initially, it was the work of architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, who envisioned a Gothic-style church consisting of three-nave elements, exterior buttresses and a high spire, all of which were typical of Gothic architecture at that time.

The construction of the Sagrada Familia Barcelona was thought to have started in August 1882 and was handed over to the enigmatic young Architect Antoni Gaudi at the end of 1883; he was just 31 years old.

Antoni Gaudi completely changed the architecture, and the building soon started to take on the unique style for which he was world-renowned. He knew it would take many years to finish and worked tirelessly on the project until he died in 1926.

The Sagrada Familia was intended to be a universal masterpiece embracing all symbols of Christianity. It is an expiatory temple, a place to commemorate the repatriation of sins made against God or the church's laws.

All work on this enormously complicated project is financed by donations from locals and visitors, which explains its slow progress.

It is due for completion in 2026, a symbolic date as it celebrates 100 years since the death of Gaudi.

The Project

Gaudi was highly religious and incorporated his faith throughout the Sagrada Familia Barcelona.

He only completed the plans for the most important parts: the central nave, the sacristan, and the glory façade. His plans, though, have been used to inspire the further construction of the other naves, facades and towers.

The Naves

The interior of the Sagrada Familia contains a forest-like array of soaring columns dividing the space into distinct naves, each with unique architectural and decorative details.

The central Nave of Jesus Christ features the basilica's greatest height and width. Its massive 52-meter-tall columns slope outward and bifurcate like tree,s reaching up to support the vaulted ceiling—diffused light filters down through the canopy-like structure, symbolizing the crossing from Earth to the eternal realm.

On each side lie additional naves dedicated to themes like the saints and virtues. The Nave of Faith features leaner Gaudinian columns in an undulating shape. The hexagonal columns of the Nave of Hope take inspiration from the natural world.

Every surface showcases Gaudí's artistry through ornate decorative flourishes, stained glass, and hand-crafted details ,including fruit shapes and words carved into the stone. The structural columns take on organic, spiritual forms representing everything from the Holy Family Tree to angelic trumpets heralding Christ's triumph over death.

The expansive naves come together in a soaring celebration of nature, engineering, symbolism and the divine. You can spend hours appreciating the intricacy surrounding them in all directions. The magnificent naves provide an awe-inspiring representation of man's journey toward salvation.

The Facades

The exterior has three facades, each one depicting a moment in the life of Jesus Christ, they are the Nativity, Passion and Glory facades

» Nativity Facade

The Nativity Facade of the Sagrada Familia is an explosion of ornate decoration celebrating the birth and early life of Jesus Christ. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, its exuberant sculptures and carvings depict scenes from Christ's infancy and family life.

The lower portico features columns that blossom into palm trees, representing the Tree of Life.

Detailed biblical scenes carved in high relief, like the Annunciation and Visitation, lead up to the birth of the infant Jesus adored by angels in the central portion.

Above, the four bell towers represent Jesus, Mary, Joseph and John the Baptist. Intricate symbology fills every element, from cypress trees signifying death to lilies portraying purity.

Statues of playful geese, floral motifs, and starry constellations create a lively, joyous composition full of movement.

The kaleidoscopic stained glass adds vibrant color befitting a celebration.

Compared to the stark Passion Facade, the Nativity Façade composition overflows with ornate craftsmanship conveying the wonders of Christ's birth through Gaudí's signature decorative style.

» The Passion Facade

The Passion Facade of the Sagrada Familia dramatically depicts the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ through symbolic architecture and sculpted scenes. The austere facade was completed in 1930 under architect Josep Maria Subirachs to represent Christ's sacrifice and road to martyrdom.

Angular columns covered in blood-red brick rise up like bones, with emaciated Biblical figures looking on solemnly. Intricate scenes carved in high relief recount Christ's last days - the Last Supper, Judas' kiss, and a distressed Virgin Mary witnessing the crucifixion.

At the top, the Crucified Christ on an ornate cross is flanked by the thieves crucified alongside him. The facade's harsh lines and gaunt figures create an agonized, mournful tone befitting of Christ's passion. Abstract shapes suggest tears, bones, and shrouds, revealing the facade's Modernisme style.

Through its bold, figural sculpture and raw materials, the Passion Facade provides an evocative counterpoint to the Nativity Facade's joy and vibrancy. Its anguished composition immerses visitors in Christ's sacrifice and the sorrowful mystery of his death which led to resurrection and salvation.

» The Glory Facade

The Glory Facade will be the largest and most monumental of the three main facades decorating the Sagrada Familia. Designed by Antoni Gaudí as the entrance for major ceremonial events, it glorifies Jesus Christ through vivid symbolism and artistry.

At the center will be a portico featuring the ascending Christ, atop a large colonnade surrounded by sculptures of children, angels, and saints paying homage.

Four sloping pyramids will direct eyes upwards to the central dome and massive towers soaring above.

The intricately decorated Door of Heaven will welcome worshippers within the temple, flanked by bronze doors dedicated to the sacraments.

Flowing shapes, dove motifs, cypress trees, and ascending forms will exalt the resurrection into the kingdom of heaven.

The Sagrada Familia Towers

The Sagrada Familia towers are one of the most distinctive and awe-inspiring aspects of Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece. In total, there are 18 towers planned for the basilica, each with unique architectural details and religious symbolism.

The 4 completed towers representing the Four Evangelists - James, Luke, Mark, and Matthew - are the tallest structures, towering over the apse at over 200 feet tall. Their intricate facades depict scenes from the gospels and are topped with sculptures of the evangelists and their symbolic animals.

The Nativity Facade contains four towers dedicated to Jesus, Mary, Joseph and John the Baptist. These celebrated towers feature ornate decoration and are dedicated to the birth and early life of Christ. The Passion Facade will likewise have four towers focused on the crucifixion.

The central Jesus Christ tower will be the tallest upon completion at over 550 feet, topped with a cross and Jesus sculpture visible across Barcelona. Its height pays tribute to Christ's resurrection reaching towards heaven.

The slender towers are filled with symbolism, from the triangular shapes pointing to the Holy Trinity, to the helical coils inspired by the perfection of nature. The tower soaring above each facade provides vertical accents contrasting with the horizontal expanse of the basilica.

The dizzying heights and intricate details visible up close allow visitors to appreciate Gaudí's ambitious vision and remarkable technical achievements.

When complete, the 18 towers will make the Sagrada Familia's iconic skyline recognizable across the globe as a masterpiece of human creativity and engineering.

The Sagrada Familia Finish Date!

The anticipated completion date for Barcelona's grand Sagrada Familia Basilica is a complicated and evolving timeline.

Initially, architect Antoni Gaudí aimed to finish construction in his lifetime by the 1920s. However, only one facade and partial crypt were done upon his death in 1926.

Ambitious timelines in the 1990s and 2000s to finish by 2010 and 2020 for Gaudí's centennials proved untenable given the vast amount of painstaking detail work remaining. Today, construction is roughly 70% complete and accelerating with new technology like 3D printing and modelling.

The goal is for major structural construction to be completed by 2026 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's passing. Architects estimate installing the central columns, vaults, and main façade sculptures and finalizing the 18 towers by this date.

However, intricate decorative elements will still remain. Due to the massive scope and artisanal methods, finalizing all decorative stonework, statuary, stained glass, and carvings will take until at least 2030 or 2032.

Perfectionist architects insist on completing Gaudí's vision without cutting corners or taking shortcuts.

Given the extraordinary challenges, 2026 will be a historic milestone for finishing the chief structural components according to Gaudí’s designs.

But the full completion of Sagrada Familia's ornate grandeur will continue well into the 2030s before the world sees Antoni Gaudí's vision fully realised.

Amazing Facts About The Sagrada Familia

The construction has taken 136 years so far, longer than it took to build the great wall of china or the Great Pyramids of Egypt.
Completion is due in 2026, the 100-year anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
La Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI declared it a basilica.
Gaudi is buried within the Sagrada Familia.
In the early days of construction, there was a school on the site for the children of the construction workers.
During the Spanish civil war, anarchists set fire to the crypt and also destroyed important documents.
Once finished it will be the tallest religious building in Europe, standing at 170 metres in height.
The interior pillars resemble trees as Gaudi planned.
At 120 metres long and 90 metres wide, it is the size of a football field
The Sagrada familiar is Spain’s most visited attraction catering to over 4.000.000 visitors a year.

Visiting the Sagrada Familia

Due to the enormous number of visitors each year entry tickets are limited so be sure to book early whenever possible.

If you turn up on the day to buy entrance tickets you may spend hours queuing only to find there are no more slots available for the day.

To avoid disappointment it is advisable to buy entrance tickets at least 5 days or more in advance.

Tickets are available to buy up to two months in advance and are allocated based on a system of 15-minute time slots so its very important you arrive in plenty of time.

The cheapest entrance ticket is the Sagrada Familia Basic Ticket which is available two hours before closing time and does not include an audio guide. It does include visiting the basilica and museum.

There are a number of different entrance options so it’s well worth checking to find the best one that suits you.

Opening Hours

November through February: Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Sundays 10:30 am to 6:00 pm.
March and October: Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Sundays 10:30 am to 7:00 pm.
April through September: Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Sundays 10:30 am to 8:00 pm.

The opening times and days may occasionally change if special events taking place inside the Basilica.

Special opening hours

On 25th and 26th December, 1st and 6th January, opening hours will be from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Phone service hours:

November to February: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
March to October: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
April to September: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Getting There

By Car

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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Sagrada Familia so famous?

The Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona is famous for its breathtaking and unique architecture designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. With its towering spires, intricate details, and symbolism infused throughout, Sagrada Familia is considered Gaudí's masterpiece and Barcelona's most awe-inspiring landmark.

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Yes, it's absolutely worth going inside Sagrada Familia. While the exterior is stunning, the interior allows you to fully appreciate Gaudí's creative vision through the ornate details, vast dimensions, beautiful stained glass windows, and symbolism found throughout. Exploring the interior brings this architectural work of art to life in exciting new ways.

Is Sagrada Familia free?

No, Sagrada Familia is not free to visit. There is an admission fee to go inside and tour the basilica. Tickets must be purchased in advance online or on-site. However, viewing Sagrada Familia's impressive exterior facades and architecture from the outside in the public areas surrounding the basilica is free for all to enjoy.