Everything You Need to Know About Sagrada Familia, Barcelona's Architectural Masterpiece
One of Barcelona’s most iconic symbols, the Sagrada Familia is the most visited landmark in the whole of Spain. Considered to be a great example of modernist architecture designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, many tourists from across the globe come to visit this unfinished church. If you are planning your Barcelona trip and wondering if a visit to Sagrada Familia is worth it, here is all you need to know!
Quick Facts About Sagrada Familia
- Official name: Basilica I Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia
- Location: Sagrada Familia is located at C/ de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
- Date of opening: 7 November 2010
- Architects Involved: Francisco de Paula del Villar, Antoni Gaudi, Domènec Sugrañes i Gras, Francesc de Paula Quintana i Vidal, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluís Bonet i Gari, Francesc Cardoner, Jordi Bonet i Armengol, and Jordi Faulí i Oller
- Architectural Style: Modernist, Art Nouveau Architecture, Noucentisme, Gothic Revival architecture, Spanish Gothic architecture
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Since 1984
- Number of Visitors Per Year: 3,000,000 visitors every year (approx.)
What is the Sagrada Familia?
The Sagrada Familia is a unique piece of architecture built by the world-renowned architect — Antoni Gaudi — in Barcelona.
This Roman-Catholic church in Barcelona is breathtakingly beautiful and what makes it historically significant is that it holds the title of being the largest unfinished Roman Catholic Church in the world. Under construction for over a century, since 1882, the church was consecrated in 2010 and has been proclaimed a minor basilica.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the church combines Gothic Revival and Art Nouveau, and Modernista forms of architecture. Today, 9 of the total 18 planned towers have been completed and the rest of the construction is anticipated to be completed by 2026, which marks the centenary of Gaudí's death.
Book Tickets to Sagrada FamiliaWhy Visit Sagrada Familia in Barcelona?
- Sagrada Familia is an iconic example of Antoni Gaudi’s exemplary style, with elements of Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism, and Spanish Late Gothic design.
- The work revolved around the theme of nature figures, in terms of both, symbolism and the usage of organic shapes and forms.
- Inspired by nature, this man-made masterpiece is the tallest building in Europe to explore.
- Journey up the Sagrada Familia's famous towers to witness a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Barcelona.
- Witness the great architecture of a structure that has been under construction for over a century as you explore the different facades up close.
- Explore the historical drawings, pictures, and figures of the Sagrada Familia’s evolution, all the way from the beginning in 1882.
- Discover the life and works of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s most famous architect.
- Explore the Sagrada Familia crypt, where Antoni Gaudi is buried.
- As you explore the basilica's inside, you can view the columns towering 70 meters to the ceiling and the huge stained-glass windows through which the sunlight seeps into the interiors, to produce a dreamlike experience.
Plan Your Visit to Sagrada Familia
Address: C/ de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
The Sagrada Familia is situated in the Eixample Right district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Nearest Metro Station: Sagrada Familia Station (34 m)
Directions to Sagrada Familia
Depending on the time of the year you intend to visit Sagrada Familia, the opening hours may vary accordingly:
- April - September: Mon-Sat, 9 AM to 8 PM; Sun, 10:30 AM to 8 PM
- March - October: Mon-Sat, 9 AM to 7 PM; Sun, 10:30 AM to 7 PM
- November - February: Mon-Sat, 9 AM to 6 PM; Sun, 10:30 AM to 6 PM
- 1 and 6 January, 25 and 26 December: 9 AM to 2 PM
Mass Timings:
The international mass takes place every Sunday at 9 AM.
Best Time to Visit Sagrada FamiliaWho Built the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona?
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The initial architect was Francisco de Paula del Villar but the project was taken over by Gaudi who created a stunning display of Art Nouveau and Catalan Noucentisme architecture. After Gaudi's death, seven other architects have worked on the project — Domènec Sugrañes i Gras, Francesc de Paula Quintana i Vidal, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluís Bonet i Gari, Francesc Cardoner, Jordi Bonet i Armengol and lastly, Jordi Faulí i Oller, who is the current director architect of the project.
Although during Gaudi's lifetime only less than a quarter of the basilica was complete, he is considered the designer of the Sagrada Familia. While many are of the opinion that the work post-Gaudi disregarded his design, it has attempted to true to Gaudi's vision. After parts of the unfinished basilica and Gaudi's models and workshop were destroyed during the Spanish Civil war, these plans were reconstructed and adapted to be made more modern. The plan of Sagrada Familia, as it stands, is a creation of Gaudi's genius.
More About GaudiWhat To Do At Sagrada Famiilia, Barcelona?
Enjoy the View From the Nativity & Passion Towers
Having a peep from either of the two towers is going to offer you nothing, but sheer beauty. The Nativity Tower allows you to witness the city as a whole with picturesque mountains whereas the Passion Tower offers views of the Mediterranean Sea. So, you can choose the kind of view that you would wish to have on your visit to Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
The Sagrada Familia Towers
Take the Sagrada Stairway
On visiting the Sagrada Familia Towers, the coiled stairs spiral in shape and are a must-use. With over 500 stairs to climb, it may seem exhausting but is entirely safe and in sync with Gaudi’s architecture and style. Children below 6 years of age and people with physical disabilities are not recommended to take the stairs and are refrained from accessing the Towers.
Visit the Sagrada Familia Museum
The Sagrada Familia Museum houses an exquisite collection of Antoni Gaudi’s construction models, drawings, furnishings, and much more, in an underground exhibit. You can find the space under the Passion Facade inside the semi-basement. Take a close look at the mind of this renowned architect and how his plans were initiated.
Attend Mass at the Sagrada Familia
Mass is held regularly at the Sagrada Familia and is open to all. Mass is held on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holy days of obligation. On Saturdays and the eve of holy days of obligation, mass takes place at 8 AM and on Sundays and holy days of obligation, it takes place at 9 AM.
Know MoreWhat's Inside Sagrada Familia?
Thanks to Gaudi's distinctive design Sagrada Familia stands tall as an architectural marvel. People from all over the world come to view the towers and the facades they form. However, the inside of the basilica is just as spectacular.
As you enter the basilica you will be treated by the massive columns that resemble trees of a forest evoking the sense of walking into a botanical garden, which has been lit with various hues of reds, blues, and yellows thanks to the stained glass windows. At the center of the Apse, you will find the altar. Above this, you will view the hectagon-shaped Baldachin, rife with symbolism, suspended in the air. In the hyperboloid above the presbytery, you will find the Eternal Father symbol.
The crypt, located below the apse, is also a key highlight. A UNESCO Heritage Site, it houses Gaudi's tomb and also is a chapel where the masses are celebrated regularly.
Explore the Sagrada Familia InsideBook Sagrada Familia Tickets
Brief History of Sagrada Familia
The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, also popularly known as the Sagrada Familia, is a Roman Catholic church situated in Barcelona. The work on the masterpiece began in 1874 when talks began to emerge in order to construct a church honoring the Holy family.
Under the guidance of the original architect Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, the construction work began but was soon replaced by Antoni Gaudi, where work focussed on modernist creation. Soon, by 1923, he had a vision of the basilica. The church’s first tower finished in 1925. Unfortunately, he died on 10 June 1926 and the work came to a standstill.
After his passing, for over a century, five generations of architects have worked toward bringing Gaudi’s vision to reality even after a large chunk of his ideas was destroyed when a fire broke out in 1936. In 2010, the church was finally consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI.
Architecture of the Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia was envisioned by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi who was known for bringing Art Nouveau into the surface decoration of the cathedral. The church is shorter in width than most of the cathedrals in Europe and showcases a mix of Catalan Modernism, Catalan Noucentisme, Art Nouveau, and Spanish Late Gothic.
The structure has numerous steeples, seven apsidal chapels, three portals, double aisles, and 18 towers, each of which is very distinct. The interiors of the church are quite extraordinary with covered passages forming a rectangle around the church, passing through the three portals. There are no right angles present in the interiors or exteriors of the church and consists of a few straight lines in terms of design.
The areas that are open to the visitors give you a feel of walking through a castle consisting of colorful and magnificent large glass windows and ceilings that are carved intricately.
Sagrada Familia Finish Date
The Sagrada Familia is believed to be completed in 2026. The year also marks the centenary of Antoni Gaudi's death.
However, this finish date only corresponds to the remaining towers under construction. it is believed that the various sculptures and symbols that will form part of the church, as well as the main entrance, will take longer. It could be even 2040 before the church is fully completed.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Sagrada Familia was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. During the additional registration process in 2005, the registered name was changed to include it as a part of Works of Antoni Gaudí.
A total of seven properties created by the architect Antoni Gaudí in or near Barcelona have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites are they are believed to stand as a testament to Gaudi's contribution to the development of architecture and building technology in Barcelona during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The seven buildings are: Park Güell, Palacio Güell, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens, Gaudí’s work on the Nativity façade and Crypt of the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and the Crypt in Colonia Güell.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
A. Sagrada Familia, one of Barcelona’s iconic symbols, is a Basilica designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. This attraction has been under construction since 1882.
A. One of Gaudi’s most famous works, the Sagrada Familia is situated in the city of Barcelona, Spain at C/ de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain.
A. Constructed by Antoni Gaudi, the iconic structure is famous for its unique style that combines elements of Art Nouveau, Spanish Late Gothic design, and Catalan Modernism. It has also gained fame for the being the largest unfinished Roman Catholic Church in the world.
A. The construction of Sagrada Familia began under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar and was eventually taken over by Antoni Gaudi as the chief architect to transform the project. While seven other architects have taken over the project, Gaudi is recognized as the main architect of the Sagrada Familia.
A. Sagrada Familia began its construction on 19 March 1882 and continues to be still under construction, with just parts of the Cathedral being open to the public after the church was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on 7 November 2010.
A. The opening hours of Sagrada Familia vary: April to September - 9 AM to 8 PM, March to October - 9 AM to 7 PM, November to February - 9 AM to 6 PM. On January 1 and 6 and December 25 and 26 it is open from 9 AM to 2 PM.
A. The Sagrada Familia mass is held at the crypt on Monday to Saturday, at 9 AM (Catalan) and 8 PM (Spanish). On Sundays, mass is held at 9 AM, 11:45 AM and 8 PM in Spanish, and at, 10:30 AM, 1 PM, 6:30 PM in Catalan. International Masses are held every Sunday at 9 AM.
A. Sagrada Familia has 18 towers, each one carrying an intricate significance of its own. If you climb these towers, you will be able to view the various depictions on the towers up close as well as a spectacular view of the city of Barcelona. Inside the main basilica, you will be able to view the main altar, the crypt, and various design elements such as the high columns that make the basilica unlike anything you have seen before.
A. The Sagrada Família is one of the most iconic examples of Antoni Gaudí's unique style. If you visit Sagrada Familia, you will not only get to experience Gaudi's genius, bit also witness the depcitions of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You can view the towers dedicated to prominent Christian figures such as theTwelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists and, Jesus Christ.
A. Famously known for its Art Nouveau and Catalan Noucentisme architecture, the Sagrada has been constructed for a really long time and is worth visiting to get an insight into its design and history that the place holds.
A. Your Sagrada Familia ticket prices start from €34.
A. You can book your Sagrada Familia tickets online.
