La Sagrada Familia
You can not leave Barcelona before visiting the famous SAGRADA FAMILIA! This impressive church is a must-see monument in the city, you simply cannot miss it! It is one of the most famous monuments in Spain, and in the whole world too! Designed by Antoni Gaudi, this church is a fascinating work of art.
It is one of the most famous monuments in the world and definitely the most emblematic of the city. With help of donations, the planning began in 1882 and is still in construction today. The site was classified at the UNESCO world heritage in 2003. It is very controversial due to its mix of different architectural styles, but we can all agree that it is the must-see Church to visit in Barcelona.
History of La Sagrada Familia
Consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI, it has become the universal symbol of Barcelona and Spain. The construction of La Sagrada Familia began in 1882 with the architect Fransec de Paula del Villar I Lozano.
In 1883, Antoni Gaudi was given the responsability to carry on the works in which he then devoted his life to the construction of this monument. Until 1910, he worked on many buildings and soon, personified the modernist movement. He already had a grand reputation when he started La Sagrada Familia. Steeped in religion, he began to consider the building as a sacred mission. He invested all his money and his technical knowledge with a set of symbols representing the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ. He died in 1926 and left the monument unfinished.
From 1936 to today
Interrupted in 1936, the construction was resumed in 1952 thanks to the plans and existing models. The two sides currently visible are the lateral sides of the cathedral; the main sides are still being built. The first side is the Nativity, organized around three portals:
Hope, Charity, and Faith. The second side is the Passion, which recalls the last days of Christ. The main side will be the one of the Glory, crowned with four towers.
The SAGRADA FAMILIA will be able to accommodate more than 13,000 people and a choir of 1,500 people. Its anticipated completion date is 2026, which will be a century since Gaudí’s death. The entire building is an allegory of the Christian religion. As an amazing building of monumental proportions and meticulous decorations, La Sagrada Familia is one of the greatest monuments of the century. Despite cranes and scaffolding, a strange beauty emanates from this place.
Some tips
It’s better to visit La Sagrada Familia in the early morning or late afternoon when the reflections of the sun magnify the structure of the Church. Moreover, a good suggestion is to buy your tickets online to avoid long hours in line. For a more exhilarating and detail-packed experience of the church, there is also a skip-the-line guided tour available. In addition, if you want to learn as much information as possible without paying a fortune for a guided tour, audio guides are available in up to 15 languages for the visit of the Church.
Tickets for La Sagrada Familia
Although La Sagrada Familia is still under construction, it is definitely worth the visit. The church is extremely rich in ornamentation and symbolism and has vaults that reach 230 feet. There is also a small museum within that tells the story of this great architect as well as the history of the church. To get to the top of the towers, visitors must take the elevator. However, the entrance ticket do not include access to the tower. But you should still go because from the top of the towers, you will have one of the most beautiful views of Barcelona.
Prices
Prices without audio guides: €17 | Prices with audio guides: €25.
An additional charge of €4.50 is asked to visit the towers.
How to get there?
- Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
- By METRO: stop at Sagrada Familia – Line 2 (Purple line) and Line 5 (Blue line)
Good to know
Opening hours:
From April to September: 9 am to 8 pm (Fri-Sun)
From October to March: 9 am to 6 pm (Fri-Sun)
Exceptions on December 25th, 26th & January 1st, and 6th: 9 am to 2 pm (Fri-Sun)
If you need more information about the Sagrada Familia, you can always call them or write them an e-mail. Here is their contact information:
Tel.: +34 935 132 060
Email: informacio@sagradafamilia.org
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