Day 5 - Sagrada Familia

This cathedral is hailed as Antonio Gaudi's best work and finest masterpiece, it is located in the Eixample district. Construction began in 1882 and became Gaudi's life work. Gaudi lived to see only one facade, the Nativity Facade, the aspe, crypt and one tower complete. The church plans call for 8 towers and an area capable of accommodating 13,000

Following Gaudi's death in 1926, the building process dragged on slowly through the civil war until the 50s when construction began in earnest. At present there are 8 towers complete and two facades. The building process continues and it was only in 2000, that the roof and the main nave were completed.

The two completed facades are the Nativity Facade and the Passion Facade; they are adorned with motifs taken from nature and Barroque decoration. The Nativity Facade features the life of Jesus and the Passion Facade features Jesus crucifixion. The two other facades remaining are the Glory Facade which is under construction and the South Facade.

The interior of the church is just as impressive as the exterior, featuring nature and light. We will look at each of these aspects in the next few posts. For now here are a few pics of the Nativiy and the Passion Facades

It is hoped construction will be complete to in 2026, to commemorate the centennial of Gaudi's deathRead more