Inside the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain (In-Depth Analysis)

✨ The full name of the Sagrada Família is “The Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family,” and it is Barcelona’s most famous landmark, as well as one of the longest construction projects of a church in the world. ✨ Above the central altar is a statue of Jesus on the cross. Over Jesus is a massive canopy adorned with ears of wheat and grapes, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine. The 50 lights illuminating the canopy represent the 50 days of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. Looking further up, we see a golden triangle. It represents the Creator, situated in a window resembling two funnels, which serves to let in light on one side and diffuse it on the other, known as a hyperboloid. ✨ Gaudí envisioned the entire interior of the church as a giant forest. The pillars around the church resemble towering trees🌳, branching out towards the ceiling. These “branches” also serve a structural purpose, bearing weight, so there’s no need for the external reinforcement structures found in other churches, maintaining both beauty and functionality. ✨ The four red columns are the tallest and thickest in the church, made from a very sturdy stone called porphyry. The upper nodes of the four columns represent the four evangelists. The lion represents Mark; the angel represents Matthew; the bull represents Luke; and the eagle represents John. ✨ The stained glass windows on both sides of the church are the most striking elements. The east side, with tones of blue and green, symbolizes dawn, the beginning of life, and hope. The west side, with red and orange, represents redemption and sacrifice, symbolizing the Passion and glory of Jesus. As the sun moves throughout the day, light filters through the stained glass windows, changing the ambiance inside the church. Unfortunately, when I visited, there wasn’t enough sunlight to see the amazing spectacle. I recommend visiting near sunset for the chance to capture stunning photographs. ✨ Looking towards the Nativity facade, there is a statue of Saint Joseph, Jesus’s foster father, reminding believers of the importance of family, labor, and responsibility, conveying values of loyalty and faith. Opposite, the Passion facade has a statue of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing selfless love and the guidance of faith. ✨ The spiral staircase is a design I find ingenious. As we know, Gaudí often drew inspiration from nature, and this staircase is modeled after the interior of a nautilus shell. The spiral gaps allow light to filter into the staircase, making the structure seem light and transparent. ✨ This special wall is inscribed with “The Lord’s Prayer,” one of the most important prayers in Christianity, surrounded by more than 50 languages. The golden A/G in the center pays homage to Antoni Gaudí. ✨ Gaudí perfectly blended nature, sunlight, color, curves, and religion to create a unique sacred space. The Sagrada Família is the most uniquely charming church I have ever seen. For those visiting Barcelona, make sure to book your visit on the official website in advance. #StainedGlassWindows #GaudíTrilogy #GaudíArchitecture #Gaudí #SagradaFamília #Spain #SpainTravel