The Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, is one of
Barcelona's most popular
tourist attractions. Construction on this church will continue for at least another decade, but it has already become Barcelona's most important landmark.
Still, architects now have a clear idea of what Gaudí had in mind. The
last version of his design called for a church 95m/312ft long and
60m/197ft wide. The church will be able to accommodate some thirteen
thousand people. When finished, the Sagrada Família will have a total of
eighteen towers.
Four towers on each of the three facades represent the twelve apostles. The towers reach a height of 90 to 120 meters (394ft). Another four towers represent the four evangelists. They will surround the largest, 170m/558ft tall tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ. The last tower, dedicated to Virgin Mary, will be built over the apse.
After Gaudí's death in 1926 construction slowed dramatically due to a
lack of funds and the outbreak of the Civil War.
Construction pace started to pick up again in the mid 1950s and now two facades and eight towers have been completed. The main nave was roofed in 2000. At that time construction was expected to last for another hundred years, but modern technology has enabled architects to speed up construction so that the Sagrada Família is now slated for completion in 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death.
tourist attractions. Construction on this church will continue for at least another decade, but it has already become Barcelona's most important landmark.
A New Church
The idea for the construction of a new church was launched by a devout organisation whose goal was to bring an end to the de-christianisation of the Barcelonese, which had started with the industrialization and was caused by the increasing level of education of the Catalan population.
The organisation purchased a plot of land in the new Eixample district in 1877. The architect Francisco de Paula del Villar designed a neo-Gothic church and led the construction which started in 1882.
Antoni Gaudí's Design
One year later, the modernist architect Antoni Gaudí took over as lead
architect at the age of thirty-one. From that moment on, Gaudí devoted
most of his life to the construction of the church.
Instead of sticking to the original plans, Gaudí changed the design
drastically. The neo-Gothic style made way for Gaudí's trademark
modernist style, which was based on forms found in nature. When he died in 1926 only
one facade (the Nativity Facade), one tower, the apse and the crypt were finished.
Because Gaudí was constantly improvising and changing the design while
construction was going on, he left few designs and models. And most of
these were destroyed in 1936 during the Civil War.
Eighteen Towers
Still, architects now have a clear idea of what Gaudí had in mind. The
last version of his design called for a church 95m/312ft long and
60m/197ft wide. The church will be able to accommodate some thirteen
thousand people. When finished, the Sagrada Família will have a total of
eighteen towers.
Four towers on each of the three facades represent the twelve apostles. The towers reach a height of 90 to 120 meters (394ft). Another four towers represent the four evangelists. They will surround the largest, 170m/558ft tall tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ. The last tower, dedicated to Virgin Mary, will be built over the apse.
Construction
After Gaudí's death in 1926 construction slowed dramatically due to a
lack of funds and the outbreak of the Civil War.Construction pace started to pick up again in the mid 1950s and now two facades and eight towers have been completed. The main nave was roofed in 2000. At that time construction was expected to last for another hundred years, but modern technology has enabled architects to speed up construction so that the Sagrada Família is now slated for completion in 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death.
Facades
The first facade, facing east, is known as the Nativity Facade. It was
finished by Gaudí himself and is
ornamented in a Baroque fashion with motifs of animals and plants.
Opposite the Nativity Facade is the Passion Facade. Construction
started in 1954, but only in 1987 sculptures depicting the crucified
Jesus Christ were added. As soon as they were installed, the abstract
figures caused a storm of criticism, as the style was very different
from Gaudí's.
The third and main facade is the Glory Facade. Construction of this facade - the most monumental of the three - started in 2002 and is still ongoing. This facade, on the south side of the church, will picture life and death.
ornamented in a Baroque fashion with motifs of animals and plants.
 |
| Nativity Facade |
The third and main facade is the Glory Facade. Construction of this facade - the most monumental of the three - started in 2002 and is still ongoing. This facade, on the south side of the church, will picture life and death.
Visiting Sagrada Família
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| Interior Sagrada Familia |
Even though the Sagrada Família is far from finished, the remarkable
church is well worth a visit. You can visit the crypt were Gaudí is
buried as well as the transept and central nave with its giant,
tree-like pillars and spectacular vaulting. A museum narrates the
history of the church and tells the story of its great architect.
You can also visit the towers. An elevator and a long walk will lead you to the top of a tower from where you have a magnificent view over Barcelona. The climb is not recommended for those with fear of heights or for people with claustrophobia!
Send us a request trip and add this excusion in Barcelona to your travel
You can also visit the towers. An elevator and a long walk will lead you to the top of a tower from where you have a magnificent view over Barcelona. The climb is not recommended for those with fear of heights or for people with claustrophobia!
Send us a request trip and add this excusion in Barcelona to your travel
