Sagrada Familia

One of the iconic buildings in Barcelona is the church built by Modernist Antoni Gaudi. The cathedral was started by another architect who quit after one year. Gaudi accepted the commission and 100 years after Gaudi’s death, in 2026, the cathedral (now a Basilica) will be finished. The Basilica has 2 facades finished (the Nativity, the Passion), with the Glory facade still to be completed. Unlike other churches, the stories of Christian teaching are portrayed on the outside. The inside is designed to suggest a forest. The columns reach to the ceiling and then branch out like tree limbs. There are no flying buttresses...the columns are fashioned from different stones, according to the load they support. The church will eventually have 18 spires, the highest representing the Virgin Mary. This building has so much symbolism and design complexity that it is impossible to discribe.

We thoroughly enjoyed our audio tour and were glad we had pre-bought our tickets on-line. We were told that on a slow day, 5000 people visit the Basilica.

One additional oddity...The printed information wall posters refers to the church as a “temple” but we did not see any explanation.Read more