Sagrada Familia: a must-see monument!

In this article, I present the Sagrada FamiliaBarcelona's most emblematic monument.

Here you'll find

• A presentation of the Sagrada Familia
• What you need to know to visit
• How is theinterior of the Sagrada Familia?
• Where to buy tickets ?
• How to reach it easily
• Practical information: prices, opening hours, tour tips
• Where to eat nearby?
• Things to see and do in the area
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about the Sagrada Familia, all the answers are in this article!

Follow the guide!

Sagrada Familia: article summary

The Sagrada Familia: an unmissable symbol of the Catalan capital

Paris would not be Paris without the Eiffel Tower ? So how do you evoke the city of Barcelona without mentioning the Sagrada Familia ! You can't have one without the other!

If you visit BarcelonaYou won't want to miss out on one of its most impressive monuments!

Introducing the Sagrada Família

Visit Sagrada Família Basilicathe showcase of the Catalan capital, is the most famous work of the no less famous architect and artist Antoni Gaudí (June 25, 1852 - June 10, 1926).

And even if construction not yet complete Today (more than a century after the foundation stone was laid in 1882), the Basilica is known and recognized the world over not only as the world's most important monument to the history of architecture, but also as one of the world's most important landmarks. the most emblematic of the Catalan capital, but one of the most important the world's most original.

It is a basilica of Art Nouveau styleThe Sagrada Familia is an astonishing building, both for its facades, each with their own special features, and for its grandiose interior, brimming with secrets and details. A visit to the Sagrada Familia is a must for architectural enthusiasts as well as the curious, keen to make unusual discoveries.

A few anecdotes about the Sagrada Familia

• The writer and journalist Eric Arthur Blairbetter known as George Orwell considered the great temple of the Sagrada Familia to be ". one of the ugliest buildings "he had ever seen in his life. History proved him wrong, as the monument became the most emblematic of the city and one of the in the world. It's not unlike the fate of a tower designed by a certain Gustave Eiffel, sulked by Parisians at the time of its installation. The tower, originally intended for... Barcelona !
• It's not Barcelona Cathedral, as that title belongs to Sainte-Croix and Sainte-Eulalie cathedral
• No slouch when it comes to sharp remarks, and with a great repartee, the genius Gaudi used to say, when asked why the project was taking so long, ". my customer is in no hurry ". He was obviously talking about God!
• Many Barcelonaers would have preferred to keep the basilica as is after Gaudi's death, as a monument to the "creator".
  Enthusiasm for the work's completion revived in the 50s, but there were still opponents of the project who felt that trying to reproduce Gaudi, and using modern materials, was nothing more than a pastiche of the original work.
• The basilica was consecrated in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI so it's no longer a cathedral!

Description and history of the Sagrada Familia

Wondering where this marvel came from? How did the Sagrada Familia project come about? Why isn't it finished yet? What can we expect once construction is complete?

Here are some answers, with the history and origins of the Sagrada Familia and information on its structure!

A little history

The " Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família "(full name in Catalan) meaning "Expiring Temple of the Holy Family" is a basilica whose construction began at the end of the 19th century (1882).

It's a church of 5 aisles with a transept of three forming a Latin cross.
At the upper end of the cross is theapse which closes the basilica from the rear.

The basilica boasts 3 monumental facadeseach representing one of the 3 culminating moments of Christ's life: his birth (rue Marina), sa passion, death and resurrection (rue Sardenya) and its glory, present and future (rue Mallorca).

Visit 4 turns on each façade symbolize the 12 apostles.

A domed tower crowns the apse, symbolizing the Blessed Virgin, and the 4 great towers dedicated to the evangelists encircle the central needle, which rises from the transept and symbolizes the Savior.

From inside the basilica, you can climb the towers, on foot or by elevator, and contemplate the magnificent city of Barcelona.

Construction of the Sagrada Família

Visit foundation stone of the imposing basilica was laid in 1882...and completion is scheduled for... 2026 !

The first architect in charge of the project was not Gaudi, but Fransesc de Paula VillarThe young Antoni Gaudi (31 at the time) was not appointed to continue construction until a year later.

The next stage in the construction of the neo-Gothic church planned for this site was therefore entrusted to the Catalan artist in 1883.
He changed everything ! Improvising as the work progressed!

Loaded with symbolism inspired by nature and full of originality, the Sagrada Familia, though just one of many recognized works by the architect/artist, is nonetheless a masterpiece in its own right. Antoni Gaudi's main work and his life's work.
He devoted the rest of his life to it, until his death in 1926 (he is buried in the).

He even lived in the basilica for 14 years!

Parts completed under Gaudi's aegis

Until his death, he completed only the tower of the façade of the Naissance and the crypt, both of which have been listed in the French National Heritage. World heritage.
It is estimated that less than 25% about the progress of external work after his death.

Gaudi was fascinated by nature, forging his own architectural style around it. He said he "copied the great, ever-open book of nature".
Understanding that the natural world was not made of straight lines, he based his work on this premise.

From the artist's death (1926) to the present day

Although many of the plans and models were destroyed by anarchists during the Spanish Civil War, the models and drawings preserved allowed the work to continue.

The architects working on the project were able to take advantage of 3-dimensional plaster models by the brilliant Catalan architect.
The work, originally funded by anonymous donations, is now largely financed by paying tourists.

The work is estimated to be 70% of its current progress.

Final project scheduled for 2026, the centenary of Gaudi's death

No less than 6 new towers will soon be built under current architect Jordi Fauli, bringing the total to 18!

The highest will be 172 meters above sea levelmaking the Sagrada Familia the highest church in Europe.

To complete the project, the architects use 3-D printing to move the project forward quickly.

Although some of the decorative elements will not be finished until the early 2030s, we will be able to admire in 2026 the final version of one of history's most beautiful monuments !

Please note In the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, work has been delayed and we may have to wait a little longer to admire the final version of this sumptuous building.

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The Sagrada Familia: why is it a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona?

Spain's most visited monument with more than 3 million visitors every year (ahead of Granada's Alhambra and Madrid's Prado Museum), the basilica, located in the eponymous district in the Eixample district scheduled for completion in 2026for the centenary of the death of the famous architect.

Normally, I like to get off the beaten track and off the classic tourist circuit when I visit a city.

But it's a fact that if a place is crowded, it's often for a reason... and the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia is no exception !
I can assure you it's worth a look!

Quite simply magnificent, stunning, impressive ! Superlatives fail me...

True to the city's identity...

A must on any tourist's itinerary, Barcelona's most famous monument is the Church of St. Peter. Europe's most original and the symbol of the Catalan capital.

For a city who likes above all to think of himself as original and uniqueGaudi's work can only support this observation!

This monument is quite simply unique in the world, and has been under construction since 1882! Just take a look at these statistics to get an idea of its sheer size:

• Construction will take longer than the pyramids of Egypt! And only 50 years shorter than the construction of the Great Wall of China!
• It has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1984.
• Each of these its 18 turns is linked to a biblical personality: 12 represent the apostles, 4 are symbols of the evangelists, 1 represents the Virgin Mary, another Jesus. So far, 7 are still missing!
• Gaudi is buried in the chapel of the Virgin Carmenin the basement of the Sagrada Familia

As you can imagine, we're not done yet. in awe!

How do I get to the Sagrada Familia? 

The Sagrada Familia is located in theEixamplenorth-east of the Ramblas and Plaça de Catalunya. The address is: C/ Mallorca, 401 08013 Barcelona

There are several ways to get there:

• The easiest way? Visit metro ! Blue line L5, Sagrada Familia stop OR Via the 3 stations of the L3 green line on the Ramblas (Drassanes, Liceu or Catalunya stops), take the green line L3 towards "Trinitat Nova" (south-north axis) and change to the blue line L5 at the Diagonal stop, then stop two stops later at the Sagrada Familia stop.
• By cab, for a reasonable fare if you are already in the center of Barcelona
• With the tourist buswhich naturally includes a stop at the Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia tickets, prices, opening hours and practical information

Here's some additional information to help you discover the Sagrada Familia in the best possible conditions!

Rates and booking

• Adult ticket (30/34 years): €33.80
• Student / under 30: 31.20 euros
• Senior ticket (over 65): €27.30
• Free for children under 10

You can reserve your time slotReceive your tickets immediately on your mobile devices. All you have to do is present them at the entrance on the day! Please note that these tickets include an audio guide, more than useful for understanding the many details of this fascinating monument.

Opening hours

• October to March: 9am to 6pm
• April to September: 9am to 8pm
• December 25 and 26, January 1 and 6: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Practical information and visiting tips

To make sure you're not caught off guard, here's a little tip to make the most of your visit to the basilica. For a visit to the Sagrada Familia, it's a good idea to very important to know that, probably for security reasons, it is forbidden to wear suspenders, shorts or sandals. In the same vein, you need to be adequately covered, as in all Catholic buildings.

Visit approx. 2 h for a complete tourA visit to the crypt and museum is a must.

For those in a hurry ticket-cutters are available for priority visits to the Sagrada Familia.

Where to eat near the Sagrada Familia?

You are looking for a good restaurant near the Sagrada Familia? Here's one of my favorite addresses, a great choice after an exciting visit to the Basilica!

Can Josep

• Address: C/Roger de Flor 237, 08025 Barcelona
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 1 to 15 pm and from 8:30 to 10:45 pm / Saturday for lunch service only
• Prices: approx. 20 euros/person

Introducing Can Josep

A family-run establishment serving true Catalan gastronomy. It's getting hard to find in Barcelona, yet Can Josep strives to offer a menu that's as authentic as possible.

Dishes at affordable prices more than moderatelocal regulars and tourists who know the area well. good mapan experience you're sure to love!

If you want more choices, see my 8 favorite restaurants near the Sagrada Familia!

What other works by Gaudi can you discover in Barcelona?

If a visit to the Sagrada Familia is enough to take your breath away, you may also want to discover other works of art... by Antonio Gaudi during your stay. Here are a few suggestions:

• La Pedrera (or Casa Mila), symbol of Catalan modernism
• Visit Torre Bellsguardinspired by medieval art
• Gaudi's house, which you will come across in Parc Guëllalso known as Gaudi Gardens