10 Facts About La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Published on 12/1/2010 in Facts About Spain

Barcelona is a great city and one of the main attractions is La Sagrada Familia. Below we look at 10 facts that you may not have not known about this attraction.

1. Construction of La Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and is still underway. It is expected to be completed in 2041. It was originally conceived by Catalan publisher Josep Bocabella symbolic of the revolutionary ideas becoming increasingly apparent in the city of Barcelona. Work began by public subscription with architect Francesc de Paula Villar's design-a traditional neo-Gothic style. When the two could not agree, Antoní Gaudí took over construction.

2. Art nouveau architect Antoní Gaudí dedicated more than 40 years of his life to its construction. He spent the last 15 years of his life working continuously and exclusively on the project.

3. The Roman Catholic basilica will comprise 18 tall towers with the tallest reaching a height of 560 feet. It is projected to be 60 meters wide and 95 meters long.

Sagrada familia Barcelona4. Admission is granted for EUR8, while groups of 20 or more people, retired folks, students, and those under 18 get a reduced rate of EUR5. 'Friends of the Church', children below 12 years of age, and the disabled (as well as one companion) are granted free admission. Services, however, are charged separately, and all groups must book in advance. Services include lift charges, audio guides, and cloakroom services. Wheelchairs are available for disabled visitors. Visitors are not permitted to climb the towers; they must take the lift.

5. La Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

6. The cathedral's chief architect Gaudí died tragically in a tram accident. His death was mourned throughout the city, and he is now buried in the Sagrada Familia crypt.

7. Although the cathedral was not damaged during the Spanish Civil War, in 1936, Catalan anarchists destroyed numerous models and plans to rid the city of conservative religious icons.

8. Construction is currently underway under the guidance of Jordi Bonet i Armengol. Starting in the 1980s, computers were used for the design and construction process. This has made drastic improvements in speeding up the process.

9. A 180-meter tower topped by a lamb that represents Jesus was included in the original Gaudí design. This tower was to be enclosed by four shorter towers that represented the

10. Four Evangelists and would be topped with the animal symbols attributed to them. A fifth tower would represent the Virgin Mary. The towers' pinnacles will carry colourful mosaics and some will bear the words 'Excelsis' and 'Hosanna'. The three facades of the basilica-the Passion Façade, Nativity Façade, and the Glory Façade-has three portals to represent faith, hope, and love.

Written by: Paul Symonds

About the author:

Paul writes about Barcelona VIP tours, Spain and Barcelona executive tours




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Comments:

Brennan Parker said:
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 @ 2:40 PM

Thank You! It really helped me for my project on Barcelona.


Joyce Hammerschmith said:
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 @ 6:52 AM

My daughter were here in May 2013. Brightest most beautiful church. Loved the towers, headset tour and meeting new friends from Japan. We had the best day leaving our cruise ship early and took a cab to Metro then on to the Church by 8am to see the morning sun on the outside. Without prior tickets had entry by 9:10. Lunch and then onto the park by a quick subway trip. By 2PM Barcelona was crowded and we headed back to our ship. What a wonderful day.


tim hower said:
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 @ 12:40 AM

if you can ever see this dont miss it !Was there 5 years ago and it is amazing .


i said:
Saturday, June 8, 2013 @ 4:22 PM

cool


i said:
Saturday, June 8, 2013 @ 4:22 PM

cool


lovely said:
Monday, May 20, 2013 @ 2:53 PM

i think i want apple pie!


ed loewen said:
Saturday, April 27, 2013 @ 2:30 AM

Visited in March 2013 from Canada. Rented the headphones and what is inspiring to see means even more when all the nuances and intricacies of this amazing Basilica and the architects visions are explained. Those that don't get it never will. An expansive mind like Gaudi's will never be appreciated or understood by narrow ones


ima boss said:
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 @ 8:11 PM

good info


Dan said:
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 @ 3:14 AM

I was there in april 2013 and the inside is stunning and well worth the 13 dollars, the outside is amazing, we paifd 5 more for the headphones to hear the entire story as we walked through, also so casa Mila, the arch de triumph , all walking and looking at maps, went to Picasso museum walked through old town and city hall , Shopped all the way up La Rambla and visited la boqoria which is a huge seafood and vegtable market started in 1710, that was a one day walking tour


Shauna said:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 @ 12:03 AM

I was there the week before Easter it was very amazing to see the exterior... it gave me goosebumps as this building brings the emotion from your heart.


Anita Neal said:
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 @ 10:49 AM

I agree with Ludwig. This is an architectural masterpiece internally & externally, the detail is incredible, it is aweinspiring & not to be missed when you visit Barcelona.


ludwig said:
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 9:15 PM

I am wondering for those in North America as to how we get admission to the Cathedral (Basilica). Can we as we can do in France and other EU countries get advance tickets and what if one wishes to attend Mass there (until the last Pope went there--supposedly no worship services were there.
Regarding the comment that it is just a shell---no it is not--the interior is basically finished. Considering that most Gothic Cathedrals took as much as 1000 years to complete---this one is speeding along just as the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. did amd there are Cathedrals that were begun over a 100 years ago that are still not finished---such as the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. Apparently the commenters thus far have no appreciation of architecture and do not know a masterpiece --however weird or way out (that was my first reaction to it) it maybe. What did they expect----in a church?
I would like to know why there is not a 100 rank organ there instead of the puny 20 rank one that is just too small in ranks for the space that it must cover. Also what about some REAL bells ---a Carillon of some 75 Bells beginnning with a monster 20 C natural bass bell along with a series of 12 swung bells---all which is in keeping with Gaudi's ideas.



loll said:
Friday, February 1, 2013 @ 6:04 PM

sadasdas


loll said:
Friday, February 1, 2013 @ 6:04 PM

sadasdas


Roxie said:
Monday, January 14, 2013 @ 7:04 PM

thanks great help but the site could do some well a lot of improfing and 3 facts wong


Lexi said:
Sunday, December 9, 2012 @ 6:54 PM

Thanks that really helped in my Spanish project.


Hank said:
Sunday, November 25, 2012 @ 10:18 PM

Well, according to this article, it has been under construction for more than 130 years and wont be done for another 30.


******** said:
Monday, November 5, 2012 @ 9:06 PM

I feel bad for gaudi that his church has taken more than 50 years to biuld and still under construction


steve said:
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 @ 12:33 AM

Thanks tteedd


steve said:
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 @ 12:33 AM

Thanks tteedd


mandy said:
Monday, July 16, 2012 @ 5:27 PM

As at 16th july 2012 it cost 13 euro for an adult and11 euro for a child. 3 euros more to go up the towers. But as i am sitting here, in the sagrada familial, i am agreeing with tteedd's comments. I should have spent the money on some shoes instead. Oh, and if you really want to come, buy ur tickets online at ticketmaster.es to avoid the queue.


mandy said:
Monday, July 16, 2012 @ 5:26 PM

As at 16th july 2012 it cost 13 euro for an adult and11 euro for a child. 3 euros more to go up the towers. But as i am sitting here, in the sagrada familial, i am agreeing with tteedd's comments. I should have spent the money on some shoes instead. Oh, and if you really want to come, buy ur tickets online at ticketmaster.es to avoid the queue.


Okal said:
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 10:24 PM

Vale pito



mficificate says said:
Friday, December 23, 2011 @ 8:27 PM

cooooooool best place


pablorodriges said:
Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ 1:05 AM

best place ever


someone says: said:
Monday, October 17, 2011 @ 4:43 PM

same as apple pie


apple pie said:
Monday, October 17, 2011 @ 4:41 PM

ty for du info, but i red ina buk that it will be complete in 2026


Maddie Pope said:
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 @ 4:22 PM

Thanks you really helped me


tteedd said:
Thursday, December 2, 2010 @ 7:54 PM

Hi
It cost I think 19 Euros minimum to enter Familia Sagrada.
But it is just a shell!
Best value is to look from every angle outside, pay nothing and spend your money on lunch, don't spend a morning in the queue.
Come back in 50 years, it may be kitted out!
Tteedd


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