The Sagrada Família is an iconic basilica in Barcelona, Spain, renowned for its intricate design and symbolic architecture. Officially named Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, it was designed by the celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, and it remains unfinished to this day.
History and Construction😍👇
Construction began in 1882, but Gaudí took over the project in 1883, transforming it into a symbol of his unique, organic architectural style.
Gaudí dedicated the last years of his life entirely to the basilica. At the time of his death in 1926, only a fraction of the building was complete.
Progress slowed due to funding issues, the Spanish Civil War, and its complexity, but recent efforts aim to complete it by 2032 or soon after.
Architectural Features
Facades:
Nativity Facade: The only part completed during Gaudí's lifetime, it depicts the birth of Christ with intricate natural and religious symbolism.
Passion Facade: Dramatically designed to portray the suffering of Christ, featuring stark, angular sculptures.
Glory Facade (under construction): Will symbolize the ascent to God and reflect the final triumph of Jesus.
Towers:
The basilica will feature 18 towers: 12 for the apostles, 4 for the evangelists, 1 for the Virgin Mary, and 1 central tower dedicated to Jesus Christ, which will make it the tallest church in the world at 172.5 meters (566 feet).
Interior:
Gaudí envisioned the interior as a forest, with tree-like columns branching towards the ceiling. Natural light filters through colorful stained glass, creating a tranquil, sacred atmosphere.
Symbolism
The Sagrada Família is deeply rooted in Christian symbolism. Every element, from the facades to the smallest details, reflects biblical themes and Gaudí’s love for nature as a divine creation.
UNESCO World Heritage and Current Status
Parts of the basilica, including the Nativity Facade and crypt, are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Despite still being under construction, it was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, allowing religious services to be held there.
Visiting Information
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Opening Hours: Open year-round with varying hours depending on the season.
Tickets: Visitors are encouraged to book tickets online to avoid long queues.
The Sagrada Família is a testament to faith, perseverance, and architectural genius, embodying Gaudí’s dream of merging art, spirituality, and nature in a...
Read moreTo be honest, I didn’t know much about this place, or the architect who designed it. From what I’ve seen online it’s quite atrocious in my opinion. But I went with a small group of people while traveling to Barcelona, and I am very glad I visited. It was on the weekend, very crowded and we got there before opening hours. The audio guide that walks you from Mark one all the way through the entirety of the church. I learned so much about the background, the reasons it was being constructed, the architect who designed it. By the end I have concluded it was one of the most mesmerizing structure I’ve ever seen, so much so that we went and visited another Gaudi structure later that night.
I’m a fan forever! Get tickets ahead of...
Read moreLas Escuelas de la Sagrada Familia es un edificio construido en 1909 por el arquitecto modernista catalán Antonio Gaudí, situado en el recinto del Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia.

Escuelas de la Sagrada Familia
Se realizó por encargo de la Asociación de Devotos de San José que presidía Josep Maria Bocabella, promotor del templo de la Sagrada Familia. Gaudí edificó en el terreno destinado a la fachada de la Gloria, que se preveía estaría libre durante bastante tiempo todavía; era un pequeño edificio destinado a escuela para los hijos de los obreros que trabajaban en la Sagrada Familia. El edificio tiene planta rectangular de 10 x 20 metros, y constaba de tres aulas, vestíbulo y capilla, con lavabos en un cuerpo añadido al edificio. La construcción se realizó con ladrillo visto, en tres capas superpuestas, siguiendo la técnica tradicional catalana. Tanto las paredes como el tejado tienen forma ondulada, que confiere a la estructura una sensación de ligereza pero a la vez una gran resistencia. En el exterior definió tres áreas destinadas a aulas al aire libre que estaban cubiertas con pérgolas de hierro.
Las Escuelas sufrieron graves daños durante la Guerra Civil Española, por lo que el edificio fue desmontado en bloques y reconstruido posteriormente. Domènec Sugrañes se encargó de su restauración en 1940 con escasos fondos, por lo que tuvo algún desmoronamiento y necesitó una nueva intervención en 1943 a cargo de Francesc Quintana. En el año 2002 el edificio de las Escuelas fue trasladado al exterior del templo, a la esquina entre las calles Sardenya y Mallorca.
Las Escuelas de la Sagrada Familia han sido un ejemplo en genialidad constructiva y han servido de fuente de inspiración para muchos arquitectos, por su simplicidad, resistencia, originalidad del volumen, funcionalidad y pureza geométrica. Sus formas onduladas han sido aplicadas por arquitectos como Le Corbusier, Pier Luigi Nervi, Félix...
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