We have been to some magnificent churches in our travels–the iconic Sagrada Familia is no exception.  As the most visited Barcelona attraction, there was no way we would miss seeing to this unfinished masterpiece.  On our very first night of exploratory wanderings in Barcelona, we found ourselves at the Basilica.

Construction on the church started in 1882.  Antoni Gaudí took over the project in 1883, and continued working tirelessly on the church until his death in 1926.

In 1936, a group of anarchists destroyed and burned the vast majority of Gaudí’s workshop and plans for the church.  Work halted on the project for a period of time, and resumed again in the early 1950’s.  As with anything in the public eye, there are opponents to the project who claim the intentions of Gaudí are not being honoured, and the at the project has become an abomination of his original ideas.

Even so, construction is still taking place over 130 years later by a dedicated group of architects.  Completion of the Sagrada Familia is anticipated for 2026.   This video shows what the completed Basilica will look like.  (My apologies for the über-cheesy music.)

Two facades of the church have been completed, the Nativity Façade and the Passion Façade. The third, the Glory Façade, is yet to be completed.  Gaudí focused on the Nativity Façade, which is atypical of building a church, working on the exterior before the interior main structure is completed.  He knew that others would be inspired by the beauty of the building, and continue construction after he had passed.

The Nativity Façade

The Nativity Façade, completed in 1905, was the only side close to completion in Gaudí’s lifetime.

From the three doors that represent faith, hope and charity to the cypress, the tree of life and universal sign of welcome, the whole façade is a hymn to the joy of creation for the birth of Jesus which is expressed in each and every detail.

From: Sagrada Familia informative plaque

No single picture could do this façade justice.  The simultaneous enormity and intricate minutiae of Gaudí’s work make that an impossible task.

There are three entrances on this northeast side of the church representing Faith, Hope and Charity.  This side of the church is lavishly decorated, and crammed full of symbolism.

The carved stone appears to be bursting with fresh blooms and new leaves, symbolic of the Nativity–life and joy and newness.  Every little detail has been added with purpose.  For example, even the bunches of grapes and ears of wheat, seemingly innocuous ornamentation, symbolize the Eucharist.

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Their upper parts are decorated with mosaics spelling out ‘Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Hosanna in Excelsis, Amen, Alleluia’. Asked why he lavished so much care on the tops of the spires, which no one would see from close up, Gaudí answered: ‘The angels will see them.

from: www.lonelyplanet.com

The towers are decorated with glittering glass letters, and the spires are topped with adorned with mosaics of Murano glass.

 The Passion Façade

The two different design styles of the Nativity and the Passion are disparate, yet they fit together well.  The ornate designs of the Nativity story are contrasted by the stark nature of the Passion Façade.  This southwest side has been the cause of some controversy amongst Catalans.  The sculptor, Joseph Maria Subirachs, used a much more angular approach than Gaudí’s typical flowing style.  Subirachs also left crucified Jesus totally nude. (Oh the horrors! Hah!)  But, this is a sore spot for many.   I really liked the sculptures, and how they represent the Stations of the Cross.

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Subirachs pays tribute to Gaudí’s style with the shape of the Soldier’s helmets similar to the chimneys of Casa Milà.  Also, the figure far left of the photo of Veronica holding her veil has the same profile as the sculpture of Gaudí by Subirachs.

The doors of the Passion Façade, also done by Subirachs, are the words of the gospels of Matthew and John cast in over 8000 bronze letters. The door contains a miniature of the cryptogram seen in the photo of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.

The upper portion of the bronze doors of the Passion Façade

The Crypyogram by Joseph Maria Subirachs

Bronze door of the Passion Façade

The cryptogram has multiple combinations of numbers that always add up to 33, the age of Christ in the moment of this death.  There are two numbers repeated 10 and 14; if they are added together the sum is 48, the same result as the addition of the letters INRI (Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum) according to the numerical order of the Latin alphabet.

 The Interior

Walking into the Sagrada Familia is like being transported into a fanciful forest.  The pillars, and the way the light filters through the stained glass windows is absolutely gorgeous.  Everything has designed with the inspiration of nature.

The pillars are of different shapes and designs, as well as several different types of stone.  The combined effect is otherworldly.   A lot of this portion of the interior was completed as recently as 2010.

The stained-glass windows are reminiscent of watercolor paintings, and, in fact, are designed as watercolor paintings first by artist Joan Vila Grau before they are created in glass.  He explained his intentions as:

For me it was necessary to create an atmosphere, a grand symphony of colour and light. When you go into a Gothic church, a cathedral or a monastery, the first thing you feel is the atmosphere. After that you are aware that there are windows of different colours and thematic representations. But what is important, before everything else, is the atmosphere that is created by the colours – and if the windows have a theme – well why not? But it is not necessary. In the windows of the Sagrada Família there is no figurative iconography but an atmosphere has been created.                                                    from: http:www.vidimus.org

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Since returning home, we’ve watched the documentary “Sagrada: The Mystery of Creation”.  The film is a totally nerdy, but worth watching if you’re in for a slow-moving, yet informative couple of hours.  I left with a feeling of confidence that the artists involved with the Sagrada Familia and its completion have embodied the essence of Gaudí’s vision, and are continuing to honor his life’s work right through to completion.

The Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as part of the Works of Antoni Gaudí, since 1984 is definitely worth visiting if you ever find yourself in Barcelona.  Though the line ups are long, and some of the tower tours may be canceled due to inclement weather, it is well worth it.  Save yourself time, and use the online booking options, and then plan to be awed.  You won’t regret it!

~j