“It is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art” – Rainer Zerbst. Antonio Gaudi took over the building of Sagrada Familia in 1883, about a year after construction had started, transforming it into his own, distinct architectural style. The basilica is one of the longest construction projects in the world having been in-progress for 142 years when we visited in 2024. The latest completion target is 2026 marking one hundred years after Gaudi’s tragic death. Gaudi spent over 40 years working on the Sagrada at least part-time, fully dedicating himself in the last 12. Gaudi’s response to comments on the length of construction was “My client is not in a hurry.” It was only 15-25% complete when he died in 1926.
The basilica is designed with three facades: the Nativity to the East (1893-1936), Passion to the West(1954-), Glory to the South (2002-). I was in awe everywhere my eyes landed. I am convinced that the more interesting features I noticed, the more I missed. It is difficult to believe that the basilica was designed and built by humans. When you see it in-person, you might understand why it took so long to build. There is so much art to see! The floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross. I admired the sculpted bible scenes on the facades, the multi-colored light coming through the stained glass inside, the height of the central nave vaults (148ft), the artistic features on the celling, the symbolism, the steeples, the spires… Love it or hate it, the basilica has become a symbol of Barcelona visited by millions every year. It has been recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Tourists flock the basilica year-round. We visited in March 2024, which is supposed to be the low season, yet when I attempted to purchase tickets, there was only limited availability for the afternoon of the next day. Tickets including the towers were not available. They are for timed entry and cost between 26 to 40 Euros. I suggest downloading the Sagrada app on your phone, you can read up on the history and architecture, watch virtual tours of the exterior and interior, as well as listen to an audio tour as you visit. Tickets can also be purchased from their web site.
References Basilica Web Site, Architectuul, Wikipedia
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