The Temple of the Sagrada Familia is certainly the most emblematic monument of Barcelona. Its construction began in 1882 and dedicated 40 years of Gaudi's work, until his death in 1926.

Even today many architects have been instructed to complete the work of the Sagrada Familia. The first architect who began the work of the Sagrada Familia designed a neo-Gothic building, but after his death continued Gaudi, who took the starting track, but endowed with a character and an unusual form, as well as we can see today. The intent of Gaudi was to achieve three sides corresponding to the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and seven aisles and eighteen towers (Christ, the twelve apostles, four evangelists, and Mary). Gaudi worked all his life for the construction of the Sagrada Familia and its almost excessive devotion was due to the fact that the artist defined as many details as he could as the construction progressed: his presence was essential and not always the changes were written on paper.

Over the years, and with the alternation of the works, took more space the imagination and eccentricity of the architect, so that the towers of the Sagrada Familia took a form similar to the current shape like the constructions of termites and sand castles that children make on the beach.

The towers of the Sagrada Familia are covered with geometric cusps coated with ceramics whose shapes recall the paintings of the exponents of cubism.

Gaudi was aware that he would not finish the project of the Sagrada Familia, so he decided to finish some parts of the building rather than cordon off the entire structure with the intent to give a precise idea of his successors: a part from which would have to emerge it all.

After the death of Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia was rebuilt with the project based on the recovery of the models (lost during a fire) and with some contemporary interpretations.

The church of the Sagrada Familia will feature three fronts: that of the Nativity, Glory (under construction) and the Passion. In particular this last, the work of Josep Subirachs, has been criticized because the faces of the figures (including that of Christ) are so mangled as to be almost science fiction.

It's stimulating spending hours trying to interpret the rich symbolic reminders that Gaudi wanted to bombard with the Sagrada Familia church because for him it was to be the "last great sanctuary of Christianity"

And perhaps this is one reason for the restless charm which hovers around the monument.

The works at the Sagrada Familia are about to finish the construction of the central nave, formed by columns similar to tall trees and a ceiling that seems covered with bright sunflowers. At the end will begin the construction of the central dome.

Entry € 11, reduced € 10

Opening hours of the Sagrada Familia

October to March: 09h00-18h00

April to September: 09h00-20h00