Barcelona Guide

Sagrada Família

The large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona is currently the basilica and also the temple, is called „Templo de la Sagrada Familia“. Worldwide has retained a simpler version of the name, namely, the Sagrada Familia. Like most major Barcelona sights, also this temple was designed and built by Antoni Gaudi and although still not considered as completed, was registered on UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its completion, according to contemporary artists is planned for 2026, because this year falls on the 100th anniversary of Gaudi. The main bay was officially opened  for visitors in 2004, and last year it was visited by something around 3 million people, the Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited monument in Spain. In November 2010 the church was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Roman Catholic Church and the Association of St. Joseph decided to build a cathedral which would pay tribute to the Holy Family. In particular St. Joseph was in the Catalan cultural history of recognized stature, mainly for its craft art. Therefore, it was also exactly on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1882, laid the foundation stone. Construction was entrusted to Gaudi. After his death in 1926, took over the unfinished work Sugranyes Domenech, whose work were braked the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Original plans and proposals by Antoni Gaudi was destroyed by Catalan anarchists, therefore, present and future shape of the final appearance is not identical to the original plans. The biggest attraction of all visitors to the Sagrada Familia is undoubtedly a unique architectural style of Antoni Gaudi. The building is embellished by 18 tall towers that represent the 12 apostles, 4 evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Jesus is the highest tower of all, on top of a huge cross.

Virgin Mary at his side is lower, evangelists represent their traditional symbols on each tower and the other 12 are the apostles. One of the spindle shaped tower, dedicated to Jesus, should after reaching a height of 170 m. This would mean that the church Sagrada Familia becomes the highest in the world. The total height of the temple would not be as desired by Antoni Gaudí to overcome Montjuic mountain, because the architect Gaudi did not want his work exceeded the work of the Creator. The temple symbolizes the four main facade - Nativity, Passion, Death and Resurrection. It was only the facade of the birth of Antoni Gaudi had a direct influence, and one was completed before the start of civil war.