The Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona is one of the most important landmarks in Spain. In 1984, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. With an impressive five million visitors a year (2019 data), it has surpassed the enchanting Alhambra in Granada and the Prado Museum in Madrid.
I'm sure this is the first place you want to visit when landing in Barcelona. Explore it by joining our top E-bike tour, 4-hour Discovery Barcelona bike Tour, or All About Gaudi & Sagrada Familia bike tour. For a more personal experience, reserve aVIP Private Bike Tour, which includes Sagrada Familia entrance tickets, a wide offer of local gastronomy, and a custom tour of the places of your interest.
The following facts about Gaudí's Sagrada Familia will blow your mind.
1. Sagrada Familia is a basilica, not a cathedral
Many people allude to Sagrada Família as a cathedral. Nonetheless, that isn't true. It is easy to get confused as its size and stylistic layout rise to or outperform one of a church. The actual cathedral in Barcelona is The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in the gothic downtown area. Sagrada Família was intended to be just a neighborhood church devoted to worshiping the holy family. Antoni Gaudí's vision turned it into a unique piece of art. Thanks to its grandeur and popularity, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church as a minor basilica in 2010.
2. Before the construction, Gaudí wasn't the project lead architect
Sagrada wouldn't be the same without the mad genius of Antoni Gaudí. Therefore, it's hard to imagine he wasn't the first architect asked to supervise the project. Initially, the official architect of the diocese, Don Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, took charge of the construction. He came up with his neo-gothic plans, and the works began in 1882. one year after the cornerstone was laid and after architect Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano had stepped down. Gaudí became the lead architect of the Sagrada Familia project in 1883.
3. Gaudí realized he would not live to see the basilica complete
Since Gaudí oversaw the project, he knew he would be unable to see Sagrada Família stand in the entirety of its magnificence. Consequently, he made faultlessly definite designs to ensure the construction could go on without him. To honor that he was part of something bigger and greater than himself, he wanted the facades to be constructed independently, so every new generation of designers could contribute by adding their twist.
4. Each Facade Narrates a Story
The Nativity Facade recounts the narrative of Jesus' birth. It's the only one of three Gaudí completed himself. The diverse components and figures of this veneer do not just portray the early long periods of Jesus' life but also many references to nature. The Passion Facade represents the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Strikingly different in form when compared to the Nativity Facade The Passion exterior is upheld by six enormous sections which look like Sequoia trunks. It includes a pyramidal pediment with 18 bone molded segments on the six sections, and this comes full circle in a huge cross with a crown of thistles.
The third one is the Glory Facade addresses Christ's timeless brilliance and is the one to focus on yet to be finished. It highlights scenes of Christ's ascent to paradise and everlasting happiness. Although unfinished, it is, as of now, the tallest of the multitude of pinnacles.
5. Every Tower has its Meaning
Gaudí thought about every aspect of the church through and through. Hence, the towers, too, serve as symbols. When completed, Sagrada Familia will pride itself on 18 towers in total; 12 represent the 12 apostles, 4 represent the Evangelists, one for the Virgin Mary (our lady), and the tallest one in the middle will represent Jesus. Nonetheless, so far, only 9 towers are standing. Here there are some blog posts about Gaudi projects you would like to discover.
