Basílica de la Sagrada Família

Its towers, visible from numerous points in the city, have become a characteristic element of Barcelona. Their objective is to indicate the path to the basilica for pilgrims. Barcelona cannot be conceived of without this expiatory church, to which Antoni Gaudí dedicated 40 years of his life.

Construction of the Sagrada Família or to give it its full title in English the Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, started in 1883 and is still not finished. As he knew that he would not be able to complete the project in his lifetime, Gaudí bequeathed his plans to his successors and, since his death in 1926, the Modernista genius has been watching over their progress from his tomb in the crypt.

Gaudí exclusively dedicated the last 15 years of his life to the Sagrada Família, which represented the synthesis of his entire architectural career, given that he applied to the basilica everything he had learned from his other projects, such as Casa Batlló, Torre Bellesguard, La Pedrera and, above all, the crypt at Colònia Güell. The architect himself affirmed ‘I tried out the Sagrada Família’s structure first at Colònia Güell. Without this test I would never have dared use it for the basilica.’

One of Gaudí’s major contributions to the construction is the application of catenary arches, which make it possible to construct large buildings without the need for lateral structures acting as buttresses. Many of the Sagrada Família’s columns are at an angle because they form part of a catenary arch. In contrast to Roman or Gothic arches, which require buttresses, this type of arch minimises horizontal stress and distributes most of its forces to the foundations. This allows lateral buttresses to be reduced to such an extent that the arch is practically bare.

The floor plan is that of a basilica composed of a Latin cross with five naves, a transept with three naves, and an apse with a very wide ambulatory that has seven polygonal chapels and two spiral staircases leading to the choirs. For the design of the structures, Gaudí took inspiration from nature, creating columns in the shape of tree trunks that convert the interior of the basilica into an enormous stone forest. There are abundant religious references with all kinds of details. To reduce the weight of the roofs and fill the space below with sunlight, the architect built gold and green stained glass skylights into the gaps between the columns based on the concept of hyperboloid structures.

The symbolism is remarkable on its three main facades: the Nativity facade, which is highly decorated and full of life, and the only one that Gaudí saw in its completed state; the Passion facade, which covers the death and resurrection of Jesus, is more austere and simplified and was designed and built by the sculptor Josep Maria Subirachs from 1987 to 2009; and the Glory facade, which will be much larger and more monumental than the others, once it is finished.

But without doubt, one of the most characteristic elements of the Sagrada Família is its sheer verticality, which has the symbolic aim of reaching up to God and will be fully realised when the 18 towers designed by Gaudí, each one with its own dedication and crowned with a pinnacle that appears to fuse with the very heavens, are completed. The construction of the basilica is expected to be completed in 2026, when the church that Gaudí designed will fully transform the skyline of Barcelona, where no building has ever dared to be taller than the height planned for the Sagrada Família.

Within the enclosure occupied by the basilica, on Carrer de Sardenya, Gaudí constructed, in 1908 and 1909, the Sagrada Família Schools. The school building was designed for the children of disadvantaged families in the district and the children of the labourers working on the Sagrada Família. The building was constructed in an area that Gaudí expected to be vacant for some time, even though he had designed part of the basilica to be constructed on it. This is why in 2002 the building was moved to the corner of Carrer de Sardenya and Carrer de Mallorca. Although it was only a provisional structure, Gaudí applied all his architectural knowledge to produce such an exceptional structure that the Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier made a sketch of it during a visit he made to Barcelona in 1928 and became an admirer of Gaudí’s work even though he did not support the Modernisme movement.

History of the monument

The first stone of the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Church of the Holy Family) was laid on 19 March 1882, and from then on construction of the crypt began.Shortly after, due to disagreements with the sponsors, oversight of the work was passed on to Antoni Gaudí. 

Today, 70% of the construction of the Basilica is complete and efforts are now focused on the work involving the six central towers. It is expected that by 2026, work on the Sagrada Família will be completed. 

Highlights of the interior and exterior of the Basilica

The most outstanding features inside the Sagrada Família are its impressive columns, built with materials of different hardness. Inside the Basilica are long, thick columns of red porphyry, volcanic rock, small and dark columns made from basalt and granite columns that project the exterior light. 

Also worth mentioning are the Sagrada Família altar and its apse, which is inside one of the seven crypts of the Basilica. The interior of the crypt is decorated with the heads of angels and an image of Jesus hanging from the cross. The stairs go up on both sides, symbolising the way between earth and heaven. 

The most striking external features of the Sagrada Família are its towers and the three facades that represent the phases of the life of Jesus: Nativity, Passion and Glory. The work on this magnificent exterior is far from complete

Regarding the facades, the Nativity Facade (in the northeast, facing Plaça de Gaudí) has three doors with sculptures of the following virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity. The entrances are separated by two columns with a turtle that represents the sea and the mountain. The access to the middle is decorated with the 3 Magi. Joseph, Mary and Jesus separate the doors.

How do you get to the Sagrada Família?

The Sagrada Família stop on the Blue Route of Barcelona Bus Turístic is just outside the monument.

Sagrada Familia opening times, prices and tickets

All the information about planning your visit, types of tickets and prices and opening times are available on the official website of the Basilica of the Sagrada Família. In the high season, for greater convenience and guaranteed entry, we recommend purchasing tickets over the internet. 
 

For the most curious of you

• Did you know? The Sagrada Família is full of examples of symbolism, some of which are in plain sight while others are hidden. One of them is a 4x4 magic square, which vertically and horizontally always adds up to 33, the age of Christ at the time of the Passion. A similar square can be seen in the famous engraving "Melencolia" I by Albrecht Dürer.
• Local’s tip: To bypass crowds, avoid peak times. Make sure to wake up early if you want to buy a ticket and, with luck, visit the church on the same day.
• A must: You wouldn’t really leave Barcelona without seeing the Sagrada Família, would you?