This large Sagrada Familia Barcelona church has been under construction for over a hundred years. The commission went from architect to architect, starting with Paula del Villar, who started the work on the church in 1882. The following year, it went to Antoni Gaudí, who continued with the church until 1926, when he died.
It is his vision and design that has been under construction for the last hundred years, although Gaudí himself claimed that the church was designed by the spirit of the people. The ongoing construction of the Sagrada Familia church has always been paid for by donations from its sponsors and although it has not been completed, people from all over the world travel to enjoy the beauty of the architecture and worship in the chapel.
Since Gaudí’s death, seven different architects have commissioned the project, the most recent in 2012. The first section of the church was completed only after Gaudí’s death in 1930, but during the Spanish Civil War, most of the finished parts were burned. and destroyed, along with Gaudí’s original plans. The design, however, has been preserved and carried out by all the architects that followed. The current building is not only a beautiful church and monument to Gaudí as an architect, it also has an impressive and interesting history, with many nooks and crannies to explore. The building’s fascinating design intrigues people of all ages, inspiring awe and reverence in all who see it.
The Basilica
The central nave is magnificent to behold. Highly decorated, it is difficult to find straight lines anywhere due to Gaudí’s preference for organic forms, inspired by nature. The richness and complexity of the decorations are further enhanced by the brightly colored light that flows through the elaborate stained glass panels at each end.
The towers
La Sagrada Familia is a great place to get a panoramic view of Barcelona. Gaudí’s design required 18 towers, of which 8 have been built so far, and which fortunately allow visits. The view from the top is spectacular, as long as you don’t suffer from vertigo!
The museum
The Sagrada Familia museum is located in the basement under the Passion façade, occupies the space of Gaudí’s old workshop and contains a collection of drawings, plaster models and plans for the construction of the temple. An interesting look at the origins of the Sagrada Familia.
The store
After exploring the magnificent temple, stop by the shop for a moment if you want to take home a souvenir. You will find all the typical elements, as well as some more interesting ones such as engravings of Gaudí’s design sketches and books about the temple and Gaudí’s architecture.
3 interesting facts about the Sagrada Familia Barcelona
- Contrary to popular belief, La Sagrada Familia is not a cathedral, it is actually a basilica.
- It has been under construction for 135 years, making it one of the longest construction projects in history.
- When completed, it will be the tallest church building in the world at 170 meters high
Sagrada Familia Schedule
- November to February: 9 a.m. at 6 p.m.
- March: 9 a.m. at 7 p.m. April to September: 9 a.m. at 8 p.m.
- October: 9 a.m. at 7 p.m.
Due to the high number of visitors, the Sagrada Familia operates with time slots. When you buy your ticket, you will be asked to choose a date and time for your visit. Don’t worry, once you are inside you can stay as long as you want.
Sagrada Familia prices
La Sagrada Familia is the most visited tourist attraction in Barcelona: more than 3 million people visit the famous temple every year.
To avoid long waiting lines, it is recommended to buy your tickets online. You will receive your tickets by email. When you visit the Sagrada Familia, simply show the code on your mobile phone to skip the line at the ticket offices. Tickets for the Sagrada Familia come in four different variants: adults, teens, children, and retirees / seniors. Children’s tickets are the cheapest, followed by teens. Children under 7 years old have free access. The audio guides are in English. You will not need an audio guide for the guided tour. Please note that tickets are non-refundable.
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