Sagrada Familia: The Most Famous Temple in Barcelona

The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia, also known as the Sagrada Familia, is the most popular attraction in Barcelona and a symbol of the city. It is a marvel of architectural design that was built entirely on donations and is the epitome of Antonio Gaudi's career. He knew he would not be able to see the completion of the work during his lifetime. The largest construction project in the city, it attracts millions of tourists annually from all over the world.

However, it should be noted that the status of the diocesan church of Barcelona is not the brainchild of Gaudi, but the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. This is because the Expiatory Church of the Holy Family is being built on land that does not belong to the church. Private donations have been and continue to be the only source of funding for the project of Antonio Gaudi and other architects involved in the work. Therefore, when referring to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, it should be called a church or temple Antoni Gaudi.

History of the Construction of the Sagrada Familia

The idea to build the Expiatory Temple in Barcelona was conceived in 1874, and the amount collected on a voluntary basis was enough to convince people that the project should be launched without delay. In 1881, a plot of land was purchased for the construction of the temple, a few kilometers from the city. Since then, Barcelona has expanded, and now the temple is located in its central part.

Before Antoni Gaudi, the construction of the temple was led by architect Francisco del Villar. The foundation stone was laid on March 19, 1882. According to the original plan, a neo-Gothic basilica in the shape of a cross, based on five longitudinal and three transverse naves, was to be built near Barcelona. Francisco also designed a huge apse with seven chapels and a bypass gallery of the temple behind the choirs. The inclusion of the cloister in the project was explained by the need to connect three monumental facades. However, at the end of the year, the architect could not agree with customers from Barcelona on several issues, which led to his resignation.

Del Villar was replaced by Antoni Gaudi, who completed work on the Sagrada Familia crypt before the end of the decade. A vault with decorative elements was built above the foundation laid by the former leader. Under Antonio Gaudi's guidance, a small moat was constructed around the crypt of the Sagrada Familia. It protected the structures from dampness and ensured better sunlight supply.

Interesting Fact: The Evolution of Sagrada Familia

Antoni Gaudi's masterpiece, the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia, is an iconic symbol of Barcelona and a popular tourist attraction. Originally designed as a neo-Gothic basilica, the temple's construction began in 1882 and was funded by private donations. Gaudi took over as the lead architect in 1883, after Francisco del Villar's resignation due to disagreements with clients from Barcelona.

During the construction, a large anonymous donation was made, allowing Gaudi to transform his vision for the temple. He expanded the original design by adding monumental towers that would tell stories about the coming of the Kingdom of God, a concept that was very important to him.

The Sagrada Familia has three facades: the Nativity facade, the Passion of Christ facade, and the Glory facade. Gaudi started working on the Nativity facade in 1892 and completed the portal of St. The Virgin of the Rosary in 1899. He was inspired by Catalan flora and fauna when decorating the neo-Gothic apse, which was finished in 1895.

The Passion facade was designed by Gaudi in 1911, but it took more than 11 years to finalize the vaults and naves. As for the Glory facade, only sketches remain, but it is believed that Gaudi intended to create a "forest of columns" flooded with light from the temple's stained-glass windows.

Despite its status as a diocesan church of Barcelona, the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia has been funded entirely by private donations. The largest construction project in the city continues to attract millions of visitors every year.

The Death of Antonio Gaudi

On June 7, 1926, a tragic incident occurred in Barcelona that altered the course of construction. Gaudi was hit by a tram and, as he lacked any identification and was wearing very modest clothing, was taken to the Barcelona hospital for the poor, where he received insufficient medical care. On June 8, the chaplain of the Sagrada Familia discovered the brilliant creator Gaudi, but precious time had already been lost.

Gaudi passed away on June 10, 1926. He was buried in the crypt of the temple he had been constructing, so he could continue to watch the construction of the temple even after his death.

How the Sagrada Familia was Built by Followers of Antoni Gaudi

The next architect in charge was Domenech Sugranes, who was Gaudi's most talented student. Sugranes had collaborated with Gaudi on the development of the Sagrada Familia project and had assisted him in the construction of the Batlló and Mila houses.

Between 1927 and 1930, the three remaining columns of the Nativity facade were completed in Barcelona, along with the ceramic cypress that adorns the central entrance. Sugranes continued Gaudi's research, focusing on the issue of structural rigidity, until his death in 1938. The construction of the Sagrada Familia was delayed due to the Civil War, and additional problems arose when a fire destroyed some of Gaudi's workshops in 1936. Fortunately, some of the developments were later restored.

Work on the temple resumed only in 1952. In the same year, the illumination of the facade was realized, and Gaudi's staircase was presented in its completed form. A few years later, the construction of the Passion facade began, utilizing the solutions Gaudi had invented between 1892 and 1917.

In 1961, the crypt was completed, and it now houses a museum dedicated to the project and its creator. The Passion facade of the temple was finished with four towers in 1977. In the following decade, work began on sculptures that would decorate the temple, completed only in the new century. During this time, stained-glass windows were also added in honor of the Resurrection of Christ.

Despite the fact that the temple is not currently experiencing financial problems, in the past decade, only the transepts and the nave, along with their facades and vaults, have been completed out of all that was originally envisioned. The crossroads and apse were completed in 2010. The main 170-meter tower, decorated with a cross that symbolizes Jesus Christ, was completed, and the tower above the apse is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These elements reflect the vision of Antonio Gaudi.

Visiting the Sagrada Familia: Information for Tourists

The Sagrada Familia will have four towers dedicated to the Evangelists, each topped with a sculpture. Luke's tower will feature a calf, John's an eagle, Matthew's an angel, and Mark's a lion. Additionally, the twelve towers above the facades of Gaudi's project represent the twelve apostles and are decorated with grapes and wheat sheaves, which symbolize Communion. The presentation of the temple in its final form is scheduled for 2026 when work on the Glory facade is complete.

Gaudi designed all aspects of the temple's concept, including the smallest details, although he never lived to see it completed. His use of ruled surfaces streamlined the implementation of his ideas while maintaining aesthetic appeal, resulting in the church becoming a unique architectural project. The Sagrada Familia is funded through donations from believers in Barcelona, Catholics worldwide, and representatives of other religions.

Processing stone blocks, a technique used even under Antoni Gaudi, cause delays in construction despite modern software tools. Each block requires individual processing and adjustment, resulting in a slower construction process.

Inside the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi and his followers decorated it with stucco, frescoes, mosaics, sculptures, and murals, and used religious texts for inspiration. The columns within the temple are the primary load-bearing elements, designed to distribute the weight of the vaults and towers evenly.

For tourists wishing to visit Gaudi's masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia is located on Mallorca Street in Barcelona. Visitors can reach the site via the Sagrada Familia metro station on the blue and purple lines L2 and L5 or bus numbers 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, or 51. Admission costs €20, with an audio guide available for €26. The temple is open daily from 9 am to 8 pm in the summer (April to September) and 9 am to 6 pm in the winter (October to March), except on holidays (December 25, 26, January 1, and 6) when it closes at 2 pm.