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Basilica Of The Sagrada Familia

A Masterpiece of Gaudi's Life's Work

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família, is the work of the architect Antoni Gaudi. According to his design, the cathedral should have a Nativity facade, a Passion facade, a Glory facade, and 18 spires. It is the only World Heritage site under construction.

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona, also known as the Basilica of the Holy Family, is Life's Work of Modernist Architect Antoni Gaudí. More than a century after Gaudi took over the construction of the Basilica, it is still under construction and is the first unfinished building to be designated a World Heritage Site.

The Facades and Spires

According to Antoni Gaudí’s vision, the Church of the Holy Family should have three facades, the Nativity, the Passion and the Gloria, with different religious themes, as well as 18 towering spires representing Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Four Evangelists and the Twelve Apostles. In the 43 years before his death in 1926, only one spire and one facade were completed.

Manywhere Trivia:
Construction of La Sagrada Família is scheduled to be completed in 2026 as a dedication for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.

The Nativity Facade on the northeast side of the basilica is the only completed facade that Gaudi witnessed during his lifetime, and contains four towers symbolizing four apostles of Jesus.

The Passion Facade on the other side of the basilica, completed in 1976, features religious scenes such as the Last Supper and the Crucifixion of Jesus. It has four towers, too.

The largest Glory Facade in the southeast is still under construction and will show the meaning of death and resurrection. The 170-meter-tall Main Tower of the Lord Jesus in the center of the roof, the Tower of the Evangelists and the Tower of the Virgin Mary are also yet to be completed.

Colorful Decorative Tiles at the Top of the Tower

Interior of the Basilica

La Sagrada Família’s Latin Cross Shaped Nave is the epitome of Gaudi’s anachronistic design. The columns in the lobby follow the natural shape of trees, with scattered Tree-like Branches Holding up the Dome, in an unforgettable dreamlike style.

The walls of the hall are heavily decorated with Stained Glass Windows, designed by modern artist Joan Vila-Grau according to Gaudi’s original plan. The Variations of Light and Shadow forge the unique artistic style of Sagrada Família, making it one of the greatest iconic Catholic architectures.

Manywhere Trivia:
In November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI himself came and declared La Sagrada Familia a Catholic Basilica.

The cathedral has a Underground Gallery where Gaudi’s hand-made models and precious historical materials will tell you the history of the Cathedral in detail. Also located on the ground floor is the Plaster Studio, where you can see the structural samples made by different designers from all over the world, which provided the inspiration for the construction of Sagrada Família.