Day 10 - Gaudi's Holy Family Church

Brief History of Sagrada Familia

The church was begun in 1882 as a neo-Gothic structure under the direction of Francesc Villar. In 1891, Antoni Gaudi took over, completed the crypt and designed an enormous project that would reach a height of over 150m (500 ft).

Gaudi worked on Sagrada Familia until his death in 1926 (run over by a trolley). The church features three gigantic facades: the Nativity on the east, Christ's Passion and Death on the west, and Christ's Glory on the southern facade (not yet built). The four spires on each facade symbolise the 12 apostles; the tower over the apse represents the Virgin Mary. The (not yet built) central spire is dedicated to Christ the Saviour, and is surrounded by four lesser towers, representing Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Notable in Gaudi's buildings is the extent to which the architect employs the shapes and textures of nature. The influence of the peaks and heights of Montserrat, Catalonia's religious retreat near Barcelona, is certainly evident in the Sagrada Familia.

The Western Facade

Western facade of Gaudi's

The western facade, featuring Christ's Passion and Death.

Western facade of Gaudi's

Another view, showing a little more detail in the towers.

Our guide (George?) and interesting statuary at entrance to

Detail of the sculpture, and our guide George.

Close up of spires at western end

Detail of the top of two of the towers.

Close up of spires at western end

Like a smiling face appearing through the foliage of the park opposite.

left arrowBarcelona's Cathedral
Gaudi's Holy Family Church IIright arrow