Rising above Barcelona's Eixample district like a forest of stone, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is far more than a church. It is a testament to one man's extraordinary vision and the dedication of generations who have worked to bring that vision to life. Construction began in 1882 and continues today, making it one of the longest-running architectural projects in human history.
A Brief History
The story of the Sagrada Familia begins not with Gaudi, but with a modest bookseller named Josep Maria Bocabella. Inspired by a visit to the Vatican, Bocabella founded the Spiritual Association of Devotees of Saint Joseph and raised funds to build a new church dedicated to the Holy Family. The original architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar, began work in a conventional Gothic Revival style but resigned after disagreements with Bocabella's team.
In 1883, a 31-year-old Antoni Gaudi took over the project. What began as a fairly traditional commission would consume the rest of his life. Gaudi gradually transformed the design from Neo-Gothic into something entirely new, applying the naturalistic and geometric principles he had been developing throughout his career. By the last decade of his life, Gaudi devoted himself exclusively to the basilica, even living in his workshop on the construction site.
Gaudi died on June 10, 1926, struck by a tram near the Gran Via. He was buried in the crypt of his unfinished masterpiece. At the time of his death, only about 15 to 25 percent of the structure was complete, including the crypt, the apse walls, one portal, and one tower of the Nativity Facade.
The Three Facades
Gaudi designed the Sagrada Familia with three monumental facades, each telling a different chapter of the Christian story:
The Nativity Facade (Northeast)
This is the only facade substantially completed during Gaudi's lifetime, and it reflects his hands-on approach. Facing the morning sun, the Nativity Facade celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with an explosion of organic detail. Stone carvings of plants, animals, and figures seem to grow naturally from the walls, blurring the line between architecture and sculpture. Gaudi even used plaster casts of real people, animals, and plants to achieve startling realism. The facade was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
The Passion Facade (Southwest)
In stark contrast to the Nativity Facade, the Passion Facade is austere and angular, intended to evoke the suffering and sacrifice of Christ. Gaudi left behind sketches and models for this facade, knowing he would not live to see it built. Construction began in 1954, and sculptor Josep Maria Subirachs added the controversial figurative sculptures from 1987 onward. The stripped-down, geometric figures and skeletal columns create a deliberately unsettling atmosphere that divides opinion among visitors and critics alike.
The Glory Facade (Southeast)
The largest and most complex of the three, the Glory Facade will serve as the main entrance when completed. Gaudi envisioned it as a representation of the road to God, moving through death, final judgment, and ultimately, divine glory. This facade remains the least developed and will require the demolition of a city block across Carrer de Mallorca to create the grand stairway Gaudi imagined.
The Interior: A Stone Forest
Perhaps the greatest surprise of the Sagrada Familia is what awaits inside. While the exterior is famously ornate, the interior is a revelation of light and space. Gaudi designed the columns to branch like trees, supporting a canopy of hyperboloid vaults that filter colored light through stained glass windows. The effect is often compared to standing in a sunlit forest glade.
The branching columns are not merely decorative. Gaudi developed them as a structural solution, eliminating the need for traditional flying buttresses and allowing the interior to feel open and unified. He spent years perfecting the geometric calculations using hanging chain models and mirrors to study the inverted shapes of catenary arches.
"My client is not in a hurry." - Antoni Gaudi, when asked about the slow pace of construction
Visiting the Sagrada Familia
With over 4.5 million visitors annually, the Sagrada Familia is Spain's most-visited monument. Here are practical tips to make your visit memorable:
- Book tickets online through the official website well in advance, especially during summer months
- Morning visits (9:00 to 10:00 AM) offer the best light through the eastern stained glass windows
- Afternoon light (around 5:00 PM) illuminates the western windows with warm golden tones
- Tower access requires a separate ticket and involves narrow spiral staircases; it is not suitable for visitors with mobility issues
- Audio guides are available in multiple languages and provide invaluable context for the symbolism throughout the building
- Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for a thorough visit
The Ongoing Construction
Current plans aim for completion around 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudi's death, though this timeline has faced delays. Modern technology, including 3D printing and computer-aided design, has significantly accelerated the construction process compared to the manual methods used for most of the project's history.
When finished, the Sagrada Familia will have 18 towers. Twelve represent the Apostles, four the Evangelists, one the Virgin Mary, and the tallest central tower, reaching 172.5 meters, will represent Jesus Christ. This will make it the tallest religious building in Europe, though Gaudi insisted it should not exceed the height of Montjuic, Barcelona's tallest hill, because he believed human creation should not surpass God's.
