Sagrada Familia: Magnificent Catholic Temple of Barcelona. Located just a short walk from the center of Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia never ceases to amaze with its grandeur and interesting history. This Catholic church is undoubtedly one of the most amazing buildings in the world.
The idea of building this cathedral church belongs to Joseph Maria Bocabella, who was the president of a religious organization and a famous book publisher. When he began his project, he set himself the ambitious task of creating something unique that would embody the greatness of the Catholic faith and culture.
History of the construction of the Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is one of the great works of the brilliant architect Antonio Gaudi, who has always been distinguished by a unique style in architecture. This temple can be called the pinnacle of his creativity and art. They worked on its creation for 43 years. Gaudi, a deep believer in religion, saw in this temple the embodiment of the New Testament.
The construction of the temple initially began in 1882 under the leadership of the architect Francisco de Villar, but the project was soon transferred to the great Gaudi. Francisco intended to build the cathedral in a neo-Gothic style, but Gaudi went his own way. All three facades of the temple, decorated with four towers, were conceived in a single stylistic solution. In total, the temple was supposed to have 12 towers, which symbolized the twelve apostles.
Gaudi gave each of the facades its own name: "Nativity", "Passion of Christ" and "Resurrection", each of which is dedicated to a specific stage in the life of Christ. Work on the facades began in 1892, and Gaudí took a particularly careful approach to depicting the birth of Christ, as he believed that the Passion of Christ may not be accessible to everyone.
Endless Construction Sagrada Familia
Despite all the efforts that Antonio Gaudi puts into the construction of the Sagrada Familia, he never manages to complete this magnificent structure. The tragic moment came in 1926, when the architect died, leaving only a few options for facades. Disputes about whether to continue the unfinished construction continued for a long time, and there were even attempts to resume work, which, unfortunately, ended in failure. However, over time, construction was resumed.
The plan is to complete construction by 2026, while the height of the temple will be 172 meters, which is one and a half times higher than the current size. Despite the fact that Antonio Gaudi managed to build only 15% of the entire volume of the Sagrada Familia, his contribution to the project is recognized by everyone.
Sagrada Familia - location on the city map
The Sagrada Familia is located in Barcelona, in the area known as the Eixample.
Full address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401
In 2023, you can get to the famous Sagrada Familia by choosing one of the following options: using public transport (metro or bus), or taking a taxi.
Helpful tips for visiting the Sagrada Familia:
- Dress appropriately. Even though the construction of the temple is not yet complete, it is functioning and it is important to follow the dress code. Transparent clothing, bare shoulders, deep necklines, short skirts and shorts, as well as swimsuits are not welcome.
- Read the rules. Eating, drinking and smoking is prohibited inside the temple. Use of professional photography and video equipment, including tripods, requires special permission.
- Trave easily. There are security checks before entering the temple, including metal detectors and checks of personal belongings, so it is best to leave large suitcases outside the temple.
- Choose your time wisely. It is very difficult to name a “great” or “bad” time to visit the Sagrada Familia, since there are always a lot of tourists, and the queue usually forms from the very beginning of the day. However, some tourists notice that on Mondays there are fewer people in the temple. It is also worth paying attention to the last 2-3 hours before closing, when the number of visitors decreases, despite the discounts. On weekends there are usually more visitors, especially in the morning when organized groups arrive.
- Try to save money. The temple holds mass every day at 9 am, and this provides free access to the temple. However, to secure a seat inside, you will need to arrive early as seating is limited. It is important to remember that photography is prohibited during the service.
Entry fees
There are different ticket options for visiting the Sagrada Familia in 2023:
- Basic ticket – 17 € (Important: this option is temporarily unavailable due to the pandemic).
- Ticket with audio guide – starting from €26.
- Ticket with excursion – starting from 27 €.
- Ticket with audio guide + entrance to the Gaudi Museum – 27 €.
- Ticket with climbing the tower and audio guide – 32 €.
Regarding discounts:
- Children under 11 years of age do not require a ticket.
- Students and people under 30 years old can get a discount of 2€.
In addition, visitors aged 11 to 30 are eligible to purchase half-price tickets on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, starting two hours before the museum closes.
What can you see inside the Sagrada Familia?
The Sagrada Familia not only includes impressive architectural beauty, but also an amazing museum located within its walls. Here visitors can view historical drawings, figures and photographs that show the evolution of this magnificent structure since its inception back in 1882. Moreover, the museum provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the life and work of Antoni Gaudi, one of the most prominent architects to work in Barcelona.
Another magnificent architectural marvel located on Mount Tibidabo is the Temple of the Sacred Heart. We also recommend a visit to art lovers.
