Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia church, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, was formally complete in 1926, but the project was beset by delays and continuing disputes over its final cost, and it wasn’t until 1950 that the church finally opened to the public. The church is a stunning example of Gaudí’s signature style, known for its multiple levels and imaginative use of materials (including ceramic mosaics, ceramic tiles, and carved stone).
In the heart of Barcelona, there is a church that must be visited. Built in the 1890s, it is the church where the congregation of Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia—better known as ‘Sagrada Familia’—gathers every Sunday. When it was first built, the church was meant to be the final part of a series of churches that would span the city of Barcelona.
The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s most famous church, is now under construction for the past 250 years. To date, over 7000 workers have worked on it, and we are still waiting for the completion. The church was designed by Antoni Gaudi and is one of a kind, not only in Barcelona but in the entire world. Not only does it have to be the most beautiful church, but it must also be the most safe and comfortable.
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Sagrada Familia is the most renowned Barcelona cathedral to see, and if you’re going to Barcelona, you won’t want to miss it. This Gothic Basilica, designed by Antoni Gaud, is one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world. While the basilica’s façade is impressive, the interior of the Sagrada Familia will take your breath away.
About Antoni Gaudi & Sagrada Familia
After the original architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar, was fired, Antoni Gaudi, the founder of Catalan Modernism, started working on the design for the Sagrada Famlia.
Unsatisfied with de Paula del Villar’s vision, Gaudi set out to build a church that would surpass all others, complete with his famous modernist fanciful features.
With hundreds of sketches, models, and drawings of what he envisioned for the future Bascilica, Gaudi spent years refining his model for the Sagrade Familia.
Unfortunately, Gaudi’s crowning accomplishment is one that he never saw finished, and which is still incomplete.
The deadline for completion is 2026.
When Gaudi dies, his student, Domènec Sugranyes, takes up the project until 1936, when the Spanish Civil War breaks out, destroying much of Gaudi’s original drawings and models.
New site managers and architects resumed the job using what Gaudi designed drawings that could be rebuilt, and they are still working to this day.
Tour of Sagrada Familia (Inside & Outside the Basilica)
Outside the Sagrada Familia’s Façade
The narrative of Jesus’ birth to resurrection is split into three parts carved onto the outside Façade of Sagrada Familia.
The Façade of Birth is extremely elaborate, with realistic features and depictions of Jesus as a baby, and it concentrates on the birth of Christ.
It contains four bell towers and three major doors (hope, mercy & faith) on which are intricately designed patterns of human, plant, and animal figures representing growth.
The Passion Façade is inspired by Christ’s crucifixion. It is much more plain and devoid of detail than the other facades.
It features skeleton pillars with Biblical figure sculptures and a cryptogram that symbolizes Jesus’ age at his death (33).
The Façade of Bliss, which depicts images from the Judgment, Hell, and Heaven, symbolizes eternal life. Gaudi was obviously using the number 7 to signify the completion of this pair of façades, since there are 7 entrances on this side of the cathedral.
Eventually, there will be 18 towers: one for Jesus, one for Mary, one for each of the Evangalists (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) and one for each of the 12 apostales.
The inside of the Sagrada Familia
The inside of the Sagrada Familia is breathtaking, and you can immediately see how much work Gaudi put into building Barcelona’s most magnificent cathedral.
The vaulted ceiling and pillars, which are designed to make you feel like you’re standing under a forest of trees, are beautiful and make you feel very tiny (which is the point).
The quantity of stained glass and spectrum of hues that light the basilica can’t help but amaze you.
It provides so much natural light that no artificial lighting is required.
Gaudi used deliberate elements in the interior design of Sagrada Familia to attract your attention to the basilica’s purpose, which is to make Jesus the main point.
Until you glance up, the High Altar seems to be very basic.
The canopy of trees seems to merge at the top of the basilica creating an aperture through which it is possible to picture Jesus ascending to heaven.
Sagrada Familia admission
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sagrada Familia is on the Barcelona Pass which allows you to skip line & free entrance, otherwise we suggest that you buy your Sagrada Familia tickets in advance as the lines can be up to 2 hours long!
Sagrada Familia’s location
Carrer Mallorca, 401 08013 Barcelona, Espaa. La Sagrada Familia
Do you want a tour with a guide?
Take a peek at the Fast Track Guide Tour of the Sagrada Familia. It enables you to bypass the queue and have a professional guide explain all of the intricate intricacies of this magnificent church.
While there is an audio tour available, I found the Sagrada Familia Visual Guide book to be an excellent resource for learning about the many elements of this iconic church.
Look for it at the gift store since Amazon has it for a crazy price.
Have you ever been to the Sagrada Familia? Which do you prefer, the interior or exterior of the Sagrada Familia?
The Sagrada Familia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Barcelona. It is also one of the most famous churches in the world, and you can see it from many angles, thanks to its many architectural details and all the people who come to visit it every day. If you have an hour to spare, you can even walk through the Sagrada Familia’s interior, which is the most visited place in the world, counting more than seven million visitors each year.. Read more about sagrada familia history and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whats the famous church in Barcelona?
The Sagrada Familia is a famous church in Barcelona, Spain.
Whats the famous cathedral called in Barcelona?
The Sagrada Familia is a famous cathedral in Barcelona, Spain.
Why is the Sagrada Familia so famous?
The Sagrada Familia is a famous church in Barcelona, Spain. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí and completed in 1892.
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