{"id":39025,"date":"2024-01-06T05:26:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T01:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.headout.com\/?p=39025"},"modified":"2024-07-30T12:42:17","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T08:42:17","slug":"sagrada-familia-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/sagrada-familia-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"The only guide you need to explore La Sagrada Familia Basilica"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barcelona is a true treasure trove of stunning architectural wonders by some of the world\u2019s most renowned architects. Intricately designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaud\u00ed<\/a>, Sagrada Familia is a Barcelona<\/a> landmark you just can\u2019t afford to miss. Any trip to the Catalan would be incomplete without a visit to the world\u2019s largest unfinished church. With over 3 million visitors every year, there are a plethora of Sagrada Familia tickets<\/a> on offer and each of them gives you a unique perspective of the Roman Catholic basilica. <\/p>\n

It is mindblowing to even imagine that Sagrada Familia Barcelona has been under construction for the last 136 years. This unique feature in itself is a testament to its grandeur and glory. This is our comprehensive guide to exploring Sagrada Familia ticket options, architecture, interiors, and other tips and hacks for your Sagrada Familia visit.<\/p>\n

Sagrada Familia Barcelona<\/h2>\n

Essential Information <\/h3>\n

\"Sagrada<\/span>\"Sagrada<\/span>\"Sagrada<\/span><\/p>\n

Things to know <\/h4>\n

\u2600\ufe0f Best time to visit – early mornings\u23f0 Suggested duration – 2 Hours\ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f Starting Sagrada Familia Guided Tour<\/a> price – \u20ac49\ud83d\udcd0 Architecture Style – Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism or Art Nouveau\ud83d\udccf Height – 172 meters<\/p>\n

Quick Facts<\/h4>\n

\u2022 Also Known As<\/strong>: Bas\u00edlica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Fam\u00edlia (Catalan) and Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia (Spanish)\u2022 Construction began<\/strong>: 1882\u2022 Estimated date of completion<\/strong>: 2026\u2022 Architect<\/strong>: Antoni Gaudi\u2022 Architectural style<\/strong>: Modernisme\u2022 Number of visitors per year<\/strong>: 2.5 million<\/p>\n

Must See<\/h4>\n

Nativity FacadePassion FacadeThe TowersCryptSagrada Familia CeilingBeautiful stained-glass windows<\/p>\n

Opening Hours<\/h4>\n

Monday to Thursday – 9 am to 6 pmFridays – 9 am to 2 pm Weekends – 9 am to 3 pm<\/p>\n

Address<\/h4>\n

Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, SpainGet There<\/a> <\/p>\n

What makes the Sagrada Familia Church special?<\/h2>\n

Sagrada Familia, is an architectural gem in Barcelona\u2019s sprawling skyline, a reflection of the prodigal Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi\u2019s<\/a> distinct imagination and style. The sublime beauty of Sagrada Familia transcends the layers of Catalonia\u2019s rich cultural history and in the words of Gaudi himself, \u201cThe temple as a whole, as well being a place for divine worship, will artistically represent the truths of religion and the glorification of God and His Saints.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ornamental beauty of this towering structure originates from the striking synergy between Christian iconography and Gaudi\u2019s unique form that is inspired by the patterns he found in nature. The colourful stained glass panes that run in harmony with the delicate carvings which adorn the Church\u2019s fa\u00e7ade, are a fine example of Art Nouveau and Catalan Noucentisme architecture.<\/p>\n

Inspired by the mores of Gothic<\/a> and Byzantine<\/a> cathedrals, the foundation stone for Sagrada Familia was laid over a century ago in 1882, and 135 years later, this iconic monument is still a decade away from completion. The complexity of this massive structure lies in its design, and creating this masterpiece to its last detail requires enormous funding, the lack of which, has slowed the realisation of this dream-like structure.<\/p>\n

History <\/h2>\n

The ongoing historyof Sagrada Familia Barcelona<\/h3>\n

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Everything starts from humble beginnings. So was the ideation of Bas\u00edlica de la Sagrada Fam\u00edlia. It was the inspiration of a bookseller, Josep Maria Bocabella, who later became the founder of the Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph. On his return from the Vatican City in 1872, Joseph intended to build a church inspired by the basilica at Loreto. Little did he know that his humble idea would become something legendary.<\/p>\n

He gathered donations not long after and appointed architect Francisco de Paula del Villar to take charge. Villar\u2019s plan was to build a standard form of Gothic revival church. Following the resignation of Villar in 1883, Antoni Gaudi began to work on the project as chief architect. Gaudi\u2019s desire was to raise the standard to grandeur. The construction of the church took an extremely long time to complete. Antoni Gaudi passed away in the year 1926, while the construction was only 15 – 25% complete. As a matter of fact, it was far from complete. Many parts of the unfinished basilica along with Gaud\u00ed’s models were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936.<\/p>\n

Since, it took several great architects, time and persistence to get to the marvel of Sagrada today. As for the Sagrada Familia finish date, it was said that the construction would be complete by 2026, the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudi’s death. Sadly, it is difficult to say for sure since the current pandemic has delayed development.<\/p>\n

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Sagrada Familia History – A Timeline<\/h3>\n

1882:<\/b> March 19, First stone was laid on Saint Joseph’s Day based on designs drawn by Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano.<\/p>\n

1884:<\/b> Antoni Gaud\u00ed officially took over as the principal architect.<\/p>\n

1892:<\/b> Foundation of the Nativity fa\u00e7ade was laid.<\/p>\n

1925:<\/b> November 30, The first bell tower in the Nativity fa\u00e7ade, dedicated to St. Barnabas was completed.<\/p>\n

1936:<\/b> Original plans were lost and many parts of the structure were burned down due to military uprising and the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.<\/p>\n

1955:<\/b> Fundraising drive for the construction began and has continued ever since.<\/p>\n

2000:<\/b> Foundation of the Glory fa\u00e7ade was laid to mark the new millennium.<\/p>\n

2010:<\/b> Sagrada Familia was consecrated as a place of worship by Pope Benedict XVI.<\/p>\n

2018:<\/b> Close to 70% of the Basilica has been constructed.<\/p>\n

Sagrada Familia Architecture<\/h2>\n

What makes Gaudi’s architectural wonder stand out?<\/h3>\n

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Antoni Gaud\u00ed envisioned Sagrada Familia along the lines of Gothic and Byzantineplaces of worship with the motif of imparting the message of the Evangelists through architecture. Its planned 18 towers represent the Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the Gospels, and Jesus Christ, and symbolize an ascension towards God. The Basilica was planned by Gaud\u00ed so as the let the reflected sunlight illuminate various aspects of Christ’s life.<\/p>\n

Antoni Gaud\u00ed believed that man-made structures should never try to upstage God’s creations. Consequently, Sagrada Familia<\/a> is one meter shorter than Montju\u00efc Hill, the highest point in Barcelona. After his death, his plaster models have shown the way to craftsmen. The geometrical sense that has been imparted to the megastructure alludes to Cubist and Art Nouveau themes. There is an apparent influence of nature in the architecture of Sagrada Familia, in the complete absence of straight lines in the whole structure.<\/p>\n

The Interiors & Facades of Sagrada Familia<\/h2>\n

Nativity Facade Passion Facade Glory Facade Interiors \"\" Architectural Style \"\" <\/p>\n

Antoni Gaudi envisioned Sagrada Familia along the lines of Gothic and Byzantine places of worship, with the important aim of imparting the message of the Evangelists through architecture. <\/p>\n

Towers and its Significance \"\" <\/p>\n

Its initially planned 18 towers represent the Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the Gospels, and Jesus Christ, and symbolize an ascension towards God. <\/p>\n

Importance of the Facade \"\" <\/p>\n

The Basilica was planned by Gaud\u00ed so as to let reflected sunlight illuminate various aspects of Christ’s life inside the Sagrada Familia. <\/p>\n

\"\" Architectural Style \"\" <\/p>\n

Compared to the Nativity facade, the Passion facade sports a rather unembellished look as Antoni Gaudi wanted to dedicate it to the suffering of Jesus during his crucifixion. To drive home this message, the facade is situated in the west and faces the sunset. <\/p>\n

Bone-shaped Columns \"\" <\/p>\n

The bone-shaped columns symbolize the death of Christ and the sins of Mankind. <\/p>\n

Importance of the Facade \"\" <\/p>\n

The scenes sculpted on this facade depict Christ’s last night, the Calvary of Christ, and finally, the burial and resurrection of the savior Jesus. The Passion facade also has four towers that were completed in 1976. <\/p>\n

\"\" Architectural Style \"\" <\/p>\n

The Glory facade is the largest and the most elaborate of the three fa\u00e7ades. Antoni Gaudi intended the principal facade to symbolize the celestial glory of Christ. <\/p>\n

The Facade\u2019s Significance \"\" <\/p>\n

The elements of Death, Final Judgement, Hell, and Glory can be found in the Glory facade. The columns in the portico depict The Seven Deadly Sins at its base and The Seven Heavenly Virtues at the top. <\/p>\n

Facade yet to be Completed \"\" <\/p>\n

Construction of the Glory facade began in 2002, and it\u2019s speculated that the demolition of the buildings in the adjacent block might be required for its completion. <\/p>\n

\"\" Symbolisms & History \"\" <\/p>\n

Just like the facades, every part of the interiors of Sagrada Familia has its symbolic meaning. Sagrada Familia has five naves. The central nave rises above the others. Each nave has a door that leads to the Glory fa\u00e7ade. <\/p>\n

Gaud\u00ed’s Naturalistic Influence \"\" <\/p>\n

Antoni Gaud\u00ed’s naturalistic influence is apparent in the inclined tree-like branched formation of the columns, which give the interiors a unique woodlands feel. The design enables each column to support multiple weight point and creates large vaults through which sunlight can stream in. <\/p>\n

The Basilica \"\" <\/p>\n

Shaped like a colossal Latin cross, Sagrada Familia measures 90 meters from the entrance to the apse. Immediately after finishing the crypt, Antoni Gaud\u00ed concentrated on the apse. Seven chapels and two staircases flank the apse. There is an elaborate organ, consisting of 8000 pipes, behind the altar. <\/p>\n

The Crypts \"\" <\/p>\n

The Crypt at Sagrada Familia is the oldest part of the Church constructed in Neo-Renaissance style with mosaic floors depicting luscious vines, columns that are richly decorated with roots, leaves, and branches. Antoni Gaudi is buried in the Crypt ( to the left of the main altar). <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sagrada Familia Museum <\/h2>\n

A treasure trove of Gaudi\u2019s knowledge<\/h3>\n

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The Museum is situated on the ground floor of the Sagrada Familia Church built by Gaudi. The now world-renowned museum was opened in 1961 at the location where the workshops used to be during the church\u2019s construction.<\/p>\n

Inception of the Museum<\/h3>\n

It has quite a history associated with it. The death of Gaudi was a blow to architecture as the world knew it. A number of Gaudi\u2019s followers pointed out the need to create a place where his work would be conserved and disseminated. The immediate way to do so without disrupting anything was adapting the workroom located in the building site itself. This was because space played host to all of Gaudi\u2019s manual craftwork, from the scale models of the church to the carvings. <\/p>\n

However, the refurbishment work proved fruitless as the church was attacked during the Civil War. Most of the workroom, including the scale models, plans and drawings, were destroyed.<\/p>\n

However, this opened the eyes of quite a few historians and architects and they understood why preserving Gaudi\u2019s work was important. The workroom was soon reconstructed and displayed.<\/p>\n

The First Museum was under Passion Facade<\/h3>\n

In 1961, when the museum first opened, it was the basement underneath the Facade of the Passion. It was later moved to its current location, which is a much larger and suitable space to accommodate the sea of visitors. The museum showcases drawings, period photographs, ceremonial furniture and a number of scale models that are copies of Gaudi\u2019s originals. You will also be able to see the model workshop where Gaudi\u2019s original models are being restored.<\/p>\n

How To Make The Best Of Your Sagrada Familia Tour?<\/h2>\n

The monument is very popular among tourists. Evidently, you need to know a few tricks to make the best use of your time. <\/p>\n