La Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is definitly one of the monuments which struck me the most in my life. What an amazing architecture! Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) was a real genius in my eyes to imagine such a modern style more than a 100 years ago.
If there is something to visit in Barcelona, I would choose the Sagrada Familia! No wonder it is on the UNESCO World Heritage list along with other Gaudi Masterpieces such as Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and Parc Guel.

Its original name is Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family. It is a large Roman Catholic church. and in November 2010 was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI. It is incorrect to refer to it as a cathedral as it is not the seat of a bishop which is in the Middle Age Cathedral of Barcelona located in the Gothic quarter. Though construction of Sagrada Família had commenced in 1882, Gaudí became involved in 1883, taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms.

Gaudí devoted his last years to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete. Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Construction passed the midpoint in 2010 with some of the project's greatest challenges remaining and an anticipated completion date of 2026, the centennial of Gaudí's death. The basílica has a long history of dividing the citizens of Barcelona over the initial possibility it might compete with Barcelona's cathedral, over Gaudí's design itself, over the possibility that work after Gaudí's death disregarded his design, and the recent possibility that an underground tunnel of Spain's high-speed rail link to France could disturb its stability.

The initial plans of Gaudi were in big part burnt during the civil war by a Catalan Anarchist, and the current building is inspired by its works.

Gaudí's original design calls for a total of eighteen spires, representing in ascending order of height the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ. Eight spires have been built as of 2010, corresponding to four apostles at the Nativity façade and four apostles at the Passion façade. this gives an idea about the gigantic remaining work to be accomplished.

Opening Hours
CRYPT:
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Visitor tips:
- It is strongly recommended to buy the tickets in advance by following this link; This will avoid a long waiting queue to buy tickets, and ensure you that you will be have a place to visit the towers. Nevertheless, if the towers are closed for bad weather, you won't be able to be refunded.
- Since it is a church, to enter the building visitors will be required to dress with decorum. Vistors will be asked also not to raise their voices or running.
- There are lifts to the top of the towers. The descent is made on foot so people with weak physical condition should avoid going up.
- For people with reduced mobility, there are wheelchairs available on request (ask at the Information Point). Better book a chair by email in advance.
- The towers will be closed for safety reasons when weather conditions are adverse, so if you are in Barcelona for a few days, better choose a good weather day to visit the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guel.Less