Paris1972-Versailles2003

One site that has been overlook by me in my blog and now finally given the credit it deserves. I go there several times first on business and then personal, my sons have gone even on school trips, and the whole family been there. Now it’s time for me to tell you a bit more on the Sagrada Familia Basilica of Barcelona !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Sagrada Familia, (Holy Family) the must see monument emblematic of Barcelona, you have to see it ,period. Its a church more a cathedral that its construction begain in 1882 and is not yet finish! According to the original plans of Gaudi it was to be finished by 2030! This is his major project until his death in 1926.

In 2019, 70% of the Sagrada Família was finished, with only 8 of the 18 towers. The current official reception date is in 2026 (or the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudí). The construction direction is more reserved, and says that the church could be finished somewhere during the first third of the 21st century. Once the construction of the Sagrada Familia is finished, the basilica will be the largest church in the world. An update in Dec 2024 tell us that the central and highest tower of the Sagrada Familia, that of Jesus Christ, is almost finished. This week the installation of the twelve level of panel has been completed, so that it already has a height of 142.5 meters. The forecast is to reach 172.5 meters. The objective of the temple is to have the tower ended in late 2025 to inaugurate it and bless it in June 2026, coinciding with the centenary of the death of the architect Antoni Gaudí.

The Sagrada Família will have 18 towers in total; twelve towers symbolize the twelve apostles and four towers around the celebration tower represent the four evangelists around Jesus Christ, and then next to it a celebration tower for the Virgin Mary and Jesus. When finished, the celebration tower will be 170 meters high; almost the same height as Montjuïc (see post in blog), the highest hill in Barcelona.

The Sagrada Familia basilica will have three facades, each representing a phase in the life of Jesus. The facade of the nativity and the facade of passion are already completed, and the front will receive the facade of glory; this facade of glory still to be built will be the main entrance and will represent the origin and the end of humanity. The 5 meter high bronze entrance door bears the inscription of “Our Father” in Catalan, and the “Give us our daily bread today” in fifty languages.  On the Nativity facade , built between 1892 and 1930 and the oldest facade, the birth of Christ is represented by 13 natural scenes with the most important events in the life of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The facade of passion shows the Calvary of Christ, his death and resurrection; this dark facade is more modern and covered with angular statues.

The interior of the Sagrada Familia Basilica is very impressive. The particular columns of the church are like trees and branches which carry the roof of the temple; the structure of the branches is of a particular construction to support the weight of the roof and in addition ensures a perfect distribution of light and sound. The stained glass windows give a magical effect of color and light and create a special feeling of tranquility in the Sagrada Família.

The crypt under the altar is the oldest part of the Sagrada Familia basilica and also the place where Gaudi was buried on June 12, 1926. Through the windows, you can have a look in the crypt. A visit to the crypt is only possible during Mass. The Spanish Mass is every day at 9h, Sunday at 11h45 and 20h15. One more picture found in my vault of the interior worth keeping here me think

Under the Basilica is the Sagrada Familia museum. The museum is included in the ticket price and tells the story and the future of the church. It does not only offer original drawings, models and photos from Gaudí’s time, but also an explanation of the latest techniques used for construction.

The Sagrada Familia is located at Mallorca 401 and you get there on Metro lines 2 and 5 both stop at “Sagrada Familia” station. When you get off at this station, you come out in front of the Passion facade of the Sagrada Familia. The entrance and the ticket boxes are on this side. If you are using the hop-on-hop-off bus, the blue line stops directly at the Sagrada Família.

The official Basilica de la Sagrada Familia: https://sagradafamilia.org/en/

The Barcelona tourist office on the Sagrada Familia: https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/582/basilica-of-la-sagrada-familia.html

The city of Barcelona on the Sagrada Familia: https://www.meet.barcelona/en/visit-and-love-it/points-interest-city/temple-expiatori-de-la-sagrada-familia-basilica-92086004491

Tourist office of Spain on the Sagrada Familia in English

There you go folks ready to visit a work in progress world monument , a must while in Barcelona. Again, hope you enjoy the Sagrada Familia Basilica of Barcelona !! as I.

And remember, happy travel, good health, and many cheers to all !!!