All You Need to Know About the Sagrada Familia Towers
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the foremost important structures attributed to the famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, who has been responsible for the creation of many ingenious designs and structures in Barcelona.
The church which has been in existence for over 140 years now, is known for its incredible architecture. With exquisite facades and spires that run high in the sky, it truly stands as a remarkable place to visit. Read on to know more about the wondrous towers of the Sagrada Familia.
What are the Sagrada Familia Towers?
The plan for Sagrada Familia, laid down by Antoni Gaudi, was truly ahead of its time. Gaudi’s original vision for the towers includes 18 spires, to represent the Twelve Apostles, Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and Jesus Christ. Of the 18, only 8 spires have been completed so far. These correspond to the four Apostles of the Nativity Façade and the four Apostles of the Passion Façade.
The spires dedicated to the Evangelists will be surmounted by sculptures of their traditional symbols while the tallest spire, dedicated to Jesus Christ, will be surmounted by a giant cross and will have a height of 170 meters (560 ft). While the towers are a long way from completion, once completed they will make Sagrada Familia the tallest church building in the world. On your visit to the Sagrada Familia, if you purchase a ticket that includes tower access, you can choose to climb either the Nativity or Passion towers.
Sagrada Familia TicketsExplore the Sagrada Familia Towers | Main Highlights
Apostle Towers
Towers for the 12 Ardent Disciples
Each of the three facades includes four towers dedicated to one of the 12 devoted followers of Jesus. At present, there are only 8 towers constructed— four belonging to the Nativity Facade on the East and four belonging to the Passion Facade on the West sides. There are four more to be completed on the Glory Facade side. The oldest of the towers, dedicated to St. Barnabas, was built during Gaudi's lifetime and was completed in 1925. Each of these towers rises up to 90m to 112m in height and is the smallest of the 18 towers.
Evangelists Towers
Towers for the 4 Evangelists who Compiled the Gospels
The Sagrada Familia's plan features six central towers, of which four are dedicated to the four evangelists — Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John — whose works have led to the preservation of Christian history and religion. These towers are being built currently and have reached a height of 103.56m and will be 135 m when completed, making them the third tallest towers. They are slender in size compared to the towers dedicated to Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ and contain the staircases and lifts that lead to the interior of the tower of Jesus Christ. Two of the four towers - Luke and Mark, are expected to be completed by the end of 2022 if everything goes well.
Virgin Mary Tower
Second Tallest Tower
The design of the Sagrada Familia is spectacular owing to the elaborate thinking that has gone in. Gaudi has deliberately made the tower of Jesus not be more than the height of the hill Montjuïc as a mark of respect to the Creator and has ensured that the tower of the Virgin Mary doesn’t go beyond Jesus’. This tower was inaugurated on 8 December 2021. The highlight of the tower is the beautifully crafted, mosaic decorated top and the star of Virgin Mary which is illuminated daily.
Tower of Jesus Christ
The Meeting of Divinity and Humanity
A careful observation of Gaudi’s design shows he envisioned the Temple structure to be in a hierarchical, vertical rise that depicts the rising of the human being to divinity - and the tower of Jesus is at the very top of it all. Right in the middle of the towers of the four evangelists, the tower of Jesus will stand tallest. It will rise to a height of 172m and will be the highest church tower in the world and the tallest structure in Barcelona. The completion of the tower will be a culmination of the work of more than 140 years and may finish in 2026 - on the 100th death anniversary of Gaudi.
The Sagrada Familia Tower Stairs
One will have the opportunity to get to the top of the towers, to get a view of the magnanimous skies of Barcelona, overlooking the ocean. While you can get to the top via elevators, the way back down is only possible through the long, narrow series of winding stairs.
In theme with Gaudi’s personal architectural style that draws from nature, these spiral stairs resemble a snail's back. They are 60m in height and have a series of 504 steps in total. The stairs have no railings but spiral into themselves in such a way that the walls act as safe support while getting down. The stairs are completely safe to climb and not very physically tiring.
Visitors with physical disabilities, claustrophobia and heart conditions are requested to refrain from accessing the Towers as it can be a strain for them.
Design of the Sagrada Familia Towers
- The Sagrada Familia has three aspects attributed to the three facades - the Birth of Jesus, his death, and his mystical afterlife.
- The facades depict the scenes from the Bible in a beautiful manner, with the sculptures being extremely emotive.
- Natural lighting is made use of in the best possible manner, to light up the interior. With colored glass works at the right angles on the roofs and sidewalls, it simply is a stunning feature of the Sagrada Familia architecture.
- While you will find many basilicas that have Gothic, Roman, or European influences, there aren’t many that come close to the natural beauty of Catalan architecture of Gaudi.
- It is probably the only basilica that is ancient and is still under construction - a rare opportunity for visitors to see the making of a magnificent structure.
- The design of the Bell Towers is made in such a way that the sound can reach the whole city of Barcelona.
When Will the Sagrada Familia be Completed?
The Sagrada Familia has been a structure that has been in construction since 1882. Although aggressive attempts have been made in the recent past to complete it soon, the pandemic and other factors have slowed it down. The good news is that the Tower of Virgin Mary was inaugurated in 2021 and the completion of the towers of two evangelists is expected this year. Overall, the project is expected to be completed in 2026.
Can I Visit the Sagrada Familia Towers?
Yes, you can visit the Sagrada Familia towers when you are in Barcelona. You can book the tickets online which are easily available to be booked in advance.
One can visit the museum dedicated to the Sagrada Familia, the basilica itself and also climb up the Tower stairs depending on the tickets they choose. You will also have audio guides on the tour.
You can also opt for a guided tour, which is a great way to understand the rich history and architecture of the attraction, as well as about Gaudi, the man behind the creation of Sagrada Familia.
Visitor Tips
- Do not miss out on heading to the top of the towers for a phenomenal view of the city and an intimate experience of the architecture of the towers.
- It is best to wear comfortable clothing as you may have to do some amount of walking in the basilica.
- It is best to make use of the audio guides available in many languages, in order to learn the rich history of the structure.
- Since you are entering a basilica, which is a religious place, it is best to wear suitable clothes that are fully covered.
- You may carry a small bag that can be deposited but there is no provision to keep your larger luggage.
- Visitors are advised not to enter barefooted and wearing hats are not allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sagrada Familia Towers
A. The Sagrada Familia towers are the 18 towers that comprise the structure of the famed basilica.
A. Yes, you can visit the Sagrada Familia Towers if you purchase Sagrada Familia tickets with access to the tower. You can book your Sagrada Familia tickets here.
A. No, entry to the Sagrada Familia Towers is not free. You need to purchase tickets to be able to enter the Sagrada Familia tickets.
A. Yes, you can buy tickets to the towers in Sagrada Familia online.
A. There are currently 9 Sagrada Familia Towers and 9 more are being constructed.
A. 9 of the total 18 Sagrada Familia Towers are completed.
A. The Sagrada Familia Towers are expected to be completed by 2026.
A. The Sagrada Familia Towers is the most visited place in Spain, which is a testament to its immense beauty, magnitude and sanctity. It is definitely worth it!
A. The Virgin Mary tower which has the Star of Mary and beautiful mosaic works at the base of the shaft makes it look better.
A. Yes, it is best to purchase Sagrada Familia Towers tickets online and in advance.
A. The must see highlights of the Sagrada Familia Towers are the 3 facades of the towers that depict three different aspects of Christ’s life.
A. The Sagrada Familia Towers were designed by the famous Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi.
A. The Evangelist towers are at a height of 135m, the Apostle towers are of 90m-112m, while the Tower of Virgin Mary stands at 158m and the Tower of Jesus being the tallest, will stand at 172m.
A. The tallest tower in Sagrada Familia will be the tower of Jesus which is meant to stand at a height of 172m.
