La Sagrada Familia

The most iconic landmark in Barcelona Spain is La Sagrada Familia. Also called Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family, it is considered the finest example of Modernist architecture designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi, though some facts say that Francisco de Paula del Villar was the original designer and after he died, Gaudi took over.

Initially, this site was intended to be a Roman Catholic church devoted to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. But eventually, it became an excellent example of Catalan Modernism and in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI announced it as a basilica.

Gaudi had a philosophy that nature is the work of God and thus, he combined Christian speech and biblical allegories with natural symbols like geometric shapes in every column, tower, and stained glass window of the structure.

Temple de la Sagrada Família is still unfinished after being under construction for nearly 140 years and has become one of Spain's most visited monuments with a record 4.7 million visitors in 2019.

If you wish to visit La Sagrada Familia, book Spain tour packages with Indian Holiday and visit La Sagrada Familia along with other attractions in Spain.

Highlights

• Book fast track tickets for La Sagrada Familia online to avoid long queues.
• Marvel at the ornate facade towers.
• Witness the beautiful architecture on the vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows in the basilica’s inner sanctum.
• Admire the Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture at the basilica. 
• Learn about the incomplete work of Antoni Gaudi and how it became a major attraction in Spain.

La Sagrada Familia Ticket Prices

Here are La Sagrada Familia entrance fee –

• Base price: €26 (INR 2,268) per person
• Seniors: €21 (INR 1,832) per person
• Under 30 years of age: €24 (INR 2,104) per person 

Note: Tickets for Sagrada Família With Guided Tour, Sagrada Família With Towers Tour, and Sagrada Família With Guided Tour And Towers have different prices.
Note: The La Sagrada Familia tickets can only be purchased online. Also, the ticket is free for kids under 11 years of age and differently-abled visitors. 
Note: Sagrada Familia Entrances prices are subject to change at the time of booking.

About La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia’s construction started in 1882 in a Neo-Gothic style. The chief architect at this time was Francisco de Paula del Villar. After his death in 1883, the Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, with whom this basilica is associated took over and redesigned it completely.

Antoni Gaudi was inspired by nature and its various forms. Thus, inside the La Sagrada Familia, he added pillars in elegant shapes and tree trunks, reporting a concrete forest.

Gaudi also designed an excellent church that was meant to have 18 towers. He completed one but before he could finish others, he passed away in 1926. 

Till date, La Sagrada Familia Barcelona remains unfinished.  But it is estimated that this basilica will be completed by 2026.

Apart from this, Sagrada Familia has some impressive components packed with religious symbolism.

There are eight towers out of 18 that are completed. Gaudi planned that 12 of these will be constructed in memory of the Disciples, four to honor the Evangelists, one to commemorate Mary, and another tower dedicated to Jesus. And the height of each tower will be set as per their religious hierarchy.

If you are wondering “La Sagrada Familia, which tower to visit?”, then you can climb to the top of two towers on either side of the temple. Witness the splendid city views and marvel at outside architecture up close.

In addition, Sagrada Familia has three symbolic facades. The first one is the Nativity Façade, which represents Christ’s birth. 

The Passion Façade is more bare and simple than the rest and represents the suffering of Jesus during his Crucifixion. Lastly, the Glory Façade is the main façade, which is larger. It indicates Jesus’ death and resurrection and his present and future Glory. 

Antoni Gaudi was aware that he would not be able to finish this basilica and therefore, he left sketches for his successors to finish it.

Interesting Facts about La Sagrada Familia

• The construction of La Sagrada Familia started on 19 March 1882 and is estimated to be completed in 2026.
• The current main architect of this site is Jordi Fauli, 62 years old, and has been involved in this project since 1990.
• This site was the brainchild of a devout Catholic and the founder of the Asociación Espiritual de Devotos de San José, Josep María Bocabella.
• In 2019, La Sagrada Familia received 4.7 million tourists, making it one of the most visited attractions in Barcelona.