Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s most popular attraction, and one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. Formally known as La Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, this monumental church was planned out by Antoni Gaudí, the modernist architect renowned for the sort of daring designs on display at major Barcelona destinations like Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and Park Güell, just to name a few. Among the many standout features of Sagrada Familia are such architectural wonders as its striking towers, intricate stone façade, colorful stained-glass windows, and unique layout.
History of Sagrada Familia
The history of Sagrada Familia’s ongoing construction has played a not-insignificant role in the development of its legendary status. A new church on its present-day location was first conceived of in 1872, with construction beginning a decade later, in the spring of 1882. Sagrada Familia’s original design was the work of architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, who planned for the church to be built in the Neo-Gothic style. However, various disagreements led to Villar resigning the following year. Shortly thereafter, Antoni Gaudí took control of the project—one whose shape, scope, and overall design he would radically alter in the years to come.
With Gaudí at the helm, work on Sagrada Familia proceeded quite slowly. Of the attraction’s many famous towers, Gaudí only saw one completed before he died in 1926—at which point his protégé Domènec Sugranyes assumed leadership of the project. During the Spanish Civil War, a significant number of Gaudí’s original sketches, drawings, and models for Sagrada Familia were destroyed; since then, construction has proceeded under the direction of some six different head architects working from reconstructions of the plans that managed to survive. Approximately 150 years after work on Sagrada Familia began, it’s expected that the church itself might finally be completed by the end of the decade.
Sagrada Familia Highlights
With its ornate façade, soaring towers, and intricate interior ornamentation, it’s the case that everywhere you turn at Sagrada Familia there’s something remarkable to behold. Within the main nave, in particular, you’ll encounter a splendid array of curved ceilings, colorful stained-glass windows, and otherworldly architectural flourishes that could only be the handiwork of Gaudí.
Not only are Sagrada Familia’s towers among the basilica’s most recognizable features, they’re also one of the attraction’s most enjoyable elements to experience firsthand, as they provide spectacular views of Barcelona. However, be advised that while there is an elevator that takes you up the spires, you’ll need to walk back down yourself; the climb down is long, narrow, and not suitable for someone with a fear of heights or cramped spaces.
Other areas of Sagrada Familia you’ll want to be sure and see for yourself include the Altar, which is heptagonal in honor of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; the Organ, which contains some 8,000 pipes; the Crypt, where among other luminaries Gaudí is buried; and the Sagrada Familia Museum, a small space on the ground floor of the basilica where you can view some of Gaudí’s original sketches and a series of historical photographs while learning more about the construction of this unforgettable church.
More to See and Do at Sagrada Familia
For many Barcelona visitors, a trip to Sagrada Familia looms large as the centerpiece of their entire experience in this fabulous city. For several additional details that’ll help make your visit go all that much smoother, read on below.
*As a visitor to Sagrada Familia, you’ll have your choice of several ticketed experiences. The basic Sagrada Familia ticket gets you in the door for a self-guided tour of the basilica without access to the site’s famous towers; in order to go up in the towers, you’ll need to pay an extra 10 euros per person. There are also two types of ticketed guided tours available here: one that includes the towers, and one that does not.
*Many Barcelona visitors take one look at the number of Sagrada Familia ticket options available and decide to simplify things by using a Barcelona tourist pass as their admission ticket. Some tourist passes on the market here, like the Barcelona Card, even offer products like “The Gaudí Bundle,” a package that conveniently covers your admission to both Sagrada Familia and Park Güell on one ticket.
*The bottom line is, no matter how you decide to visit Sagrada Familia, buy your tickets in advance. If you buy your tickets in advance, you won’t have to wait in line to enter the basilica.
*To get the most out of your visit to Sagrada Familia, you’ll want to download the attraction’s official app. The app is free, but for convenience (faster download speeds) you’ll be best served by downloading the app before you arrive at Sagrada Familia. Once the official app is on your phone, you’ll have easy access to your admission tickets and audio guide.
*The official Sagrada Familia store sells a robust assortment of decorative items, dishes, sculptures, and more inspired by the site’s distinctive architectural flourishes. You can also find here all types of souvenirs, accessories, and art prints, as well as a large selection of books on the basilica, Gaudí, and modernist architecture.
*As an active Catholic church, Sagrada Familia features a strict dress code. Anyone wanting to enter the basilica will need to comply with this policy or they will be refused admission. To read up on the dress code’s rules and regulations, be sure and visit the “FAQ” page on Sagrada Familia’s official website in advance of your trip.
Why Sagrada Familia Should Be on Your Must-See List
When it comes to Sagrada Familia, the hype is real. If you’ve never been to Barcelona before, you simply cannot visit here and skip taking the time to tour this one-of-a-kind landmark. The basilica’s immense size, innovative design, and tumultuous construction history are just too compelling to ignore. What’s more, to experience the Sagrada Familia in all its glory doesn’t even require all that much of a time commitment. With the guided tours offered at Sagrada Familia typically lasting about 50 minutes, you truly have no excuse to miss this majestic Barcelona destination.
