Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

June 11, 2022

Unless you have witnessed the Sagrada Familia for yourself, I would bet that you have never seen anything quite like this before. I said this about Park Guell, but the Sagrada Familia in on another (Gaudi) level!

Antoni Gaudi was put in charge of designing this fabulous basilica in 1883 and it’s not finished yet! If you’d like to read the full history, there is an interesting timeline from the 19th century until the present day on the Sagrada Familia’s official website. One of the longest ever architectural commissions, but in Gaudi’s apparent words “My client is not in a hurry!”

My first glimpse of this impressive building as I walked down Carrer de Sardenya.

Before you even enter the basilica, your gaze will immediately be drawn to the wonderful sculptures on the walls – this being part of the Nativity Facade.

Inside, you won’t know where to look first. I was wide-eyed with wonder and excitement and my mouth spilled out a silent “wow!”

The stone columns throughout the interior have been designed in typical Gaudi style – to resemble a forest with its trees and branches reaching up into the vaults. It really is stunning!

With curved lines to mingle man-made structures with natural forms. This design can also be seen at Park Guell.

Once section of the basilica is also known as the temple of light because the beautifully coloured stain-glassed windows allows natural light to flood in at certain times of the day – creating an ethereal atmosphere.

A view along the nave and aisle.

If you include it in your ticket, you can ascend the stairs to the towers.

There are other, smaller features, that can be easily missed, like this emblem of Saint Luke.

And, as part of the stain-glassed designs, the names of places and people that might have some religious significance.

Outside, you can see the Passion Facade which is dedicated to the Passion of Christ with its pediment of bone-shaped columns at the top.

The 4 spires at the top of the Passion Facade represent 4 of the apostles – James, Thomas, Philip and Bartholomew. (Wikipedia)

The exterior of the basilica is carved with beautiful sculptures and features.

Other spires have bunches of fruit and wheat which represent the Holy Communion.

If you look upwards, you can see the construction work taking place at the top of the building. Once the final tower has been built, the basilica will become the tallest church-building in the world! (Wikipedia)