Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — Attraction in Barcelona

Visited this hilltop church for the first time back in June 2025 after taking the Tibidabo Funicular up the mountain - I previously went to Barcelona 15 years ago in 2010 but I didn't visit Tibidabo back then. And I really enjoyed it, the church was very beautiful from the outside and I really liked the statue of Jesus at the top of the church, it was very quiet and peaceful inside (as most people were going to the theme park adjacent to the church) and there were no ticket/admission fees to enter the church itself (unlike the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia in Central Barcelona where you have to prebook online in advance to enter) unless you want to experience the church lift/elevator, for which you have to pay.

All in all a perfect experience for me and due to the church being on top of a high hill/low mountain, there were also amazing of the city of Barcelona (including some of the sights in the main city), the surrounding hills and mountains and even the sea. The views were also quite amazing on the Funicular and if you have enough time in hand, you can also visit the theme park (although I only wanted to see the church and there wasn't enough time for me to go on any rides). It is also relatively easy to get there by public transport as the bottom Funicular station is connected by the bus which you can take to Av. Tibidabo train/Metro station (although I do wish there was also a train station of that line directly serving the bottom Funicular station so that you dont need to take an extra bus journey, or at least a station within close walking distance to that, but for now it was okay).

And I think there is also a bus route to the summit or near it, if you are going there from the west, north or east (although I'm not overly familiar with that). Another thing I liked was that the Funicular is cheaper if you just pay for that alone and then pay separately for the theme park later if you want top go there too, or you also have the option to pay for a combined theme park/funicular ticket (for which I'd like to also note that the staff was very helpful and guided us in the right direction). A far better experience and miles better for me than that Central Barcelona Basílica (which I couldn't even visit due to their terrible prebooking system) and I would love to visit this church again should I travel to Barcelona again...

The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also known as the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, is a magnificent basilica located on the summit of Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona, Spain. Standing at a height of 512 meters (1,680 feet), it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the surrounding landscape.

The basilica is a blend of architectural styles, primarily influenced by Catalan Modernism and Neo-Gothic design. Its construction began in 1902 and was completed in 1961, making it a testament to the dedication and perseverance of multiple architects who worked on the project.

The exterior of the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is adorned with intricate stone carvings, sculptures, and stained glass windows that depict religious themes. At the top of the basilica stands a monumental bronze statue of Jesus Christ, arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture.

Inside the basilica, visitors are greeted by a serene and contemplative atmosphere. The main nave is adorned with beautiful stained glass windows that allow light to filter through, creating an ethereal ambiance. The interior features ornate decorations, intricate mosaics, and intricately designed chapels that invite visitors to reflect and find solace.

The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus holds religious services, and its chapels are dedicated to various saints and religious figures. It also houses a museum that exhibits religious artifacts, historical documents, and artwork related to the basilica's history.

Climbing to the top of the Temple provides visitors with an awe-inspiring view of Barcelona. The observation deck offers a panoramic vista that stretches from the cityscape to the Mediterranean Sea, providing a memorable and picturesque backdrop.

A visit to the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is not only a religious experience but also an opportunity to appreciate the architectural splendor and natural beauty that surrounds it. It is a place of tranquility and contemplation, inviting visitors to connect with their spirituality while enjoying the panoramic vistas of Barcelona.

Whether for religious purposes or to admire its architectural grandeur, the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a significant cultural and spiritual landmark that leaves a lasting impression on...

The Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor English: Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Spanish: Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús) is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica located on the summit of Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The building is the work of the Spanish architect Enric Sagnier and was completed by his son Josep Maria Sagnier i Vidal. The construction of the church, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, lasted from 1902 to 1961.The idea of building a Catholic church on the summit of the Tibidabo emerged in the late 19th century amidst rumors about the construction of a Protestant church and a hotel-casino at that location. This motivated a "Board of Catholic Knights" to acquire the ownership of the field and give it to Saint John Bosco in 1886, when he was visiting Barcelona at the invitation of Dorotea de Chopitea, a great patron and promoter of the project. From this arose the idea of a building dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a dedication very popular at that time thanks to the impetus given by Pope Leo XIII, and following in line with the church built in Rome by Bosco himself (Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio) and the famous Sacré-Cœur in Paris. In 1886 a neo-Gothic hermitage was built, and two years later, for the Universal Exposition, the Vallvidrera road was urbanized and a pavilion of Mudejar inspiration was built beside the hermitage to serve as a viewing point (for the city below). However, the project to build the church suffered a significant delay mainly because of the development of a new project to build an astronomical observatory on the summit of Tibidabo, which was eventually constructed on a nearby hill (Fabra Observatory). Finally, on 28 December 1902, the first stone was placed in a ceremony presided by the Bishop of Barcelona, Salvador Casañas i Pagès. The crypt was built between 1903 and 1911, and the main church was built between 1915 and 1951. The church was consecrated by Bishop Gregorio Modrego Casaus during the 35th Eucharistic Congress held in Barcelona in 1952. The towers were completed afterward, with work officially ending in 1961. On 29 October 1961 the church received the title of minor basilica from...