Sagrada Família facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família
Sagrada Família
Religion
Affiliation	Catholic
District	Barcelona
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Minor basilica
Leadership	Juan José Cardinal Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona
Year consecrated	7 November 2010; 14 years ago (2010-11-07) by Pope Benedict XVI
Status	Under construction
Location
Location	Barcelona, Spain
Architecture
Architect(s)	Antoni Gaudí and Francisco de Paula del Villar
Architectural style	Gothic Revival, Art Nouveau, and Modernista
General contractor	Construction Board of La Sagrada Família Foundation
Groundbreaking	19 March 1882; 143 years ago (1882-03-19)
Completed	2034; 9 years' time (2034)
Specifications
Direction of façade	Southeast
Capacity	9,000
Length	90 m (300 ft)
Width	60 m (200 ft)
Width (nave)	45 m (150 ft)
Spire(s)	18 (13 already built)
Spire height	172.5 m (570 ft) (planned)
Materials	The main material used is stone.

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Nativity Façade and Crypt of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Part of	Works of Antoni Gaudí
Criteria	Cultural: (i), (ii), (iv)
Inscription	1984 (8th Session)
Extensions	2005 (29th session: addition of items 320-004 to 320-007)
Spanish Property of Cultural Interest
Type:	Non-movable
Criteria:	Monument
Designated:	1969-07-24
Reference #:	RI-51-0003813

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, often called Sagrada Família, is a very special church in Barcelona, Spain. It is still being built, making it the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. The famous architect Antoni Gaudí started designing it. In 2005, parts of his work on the Sagrada Família became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's recognized as a very important place for everyone. On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI officially made it a minor basilica, which is a special type of church.

Building the Sagrada Família
The Church's Design
History and Recognition
Important Events
Historical Photographs of Sagrada Família
See also

Building the Sagrada Família

The construction of the Sagrada Família started on 19 March 1882. Architect Francisco de Paula del Villar began the project. However, in 1883, Antoni Gaudí took over as the main architect.

Gaudí completely changed the design. He used his unique style, mixing Gothic architecture with Art Nouveau shapes. Gaudí spent the rest of his life working on this church. He is even buried inside its crypt. When he passed away in 1926, only about a quarter of the church was finished.

Building the church relied on money from private donations. This meant construction was slow. It was also stopped for a while during the Spanish Civil War. During this time, some parts of the church and Gaudí's original plans were damaged.

After the war, work slowly started again in the 1950s. New technologies, like computer design, helped speed things up. By 2010, more than half of the church was built. In 2014, people hoped the church would be finished by 2026. This year marks 100 years since Gaudí's death. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delays. In March 2024, it was confirmed that the main building is still expected to be completed in 2026. But some decorative parts and a planned stairway might take until 2034 to finish.

The Church's Design

The Sagrada Família's style is a mix of Spanish Gothic architecture, Catalan Modernism, and Art Nouveau. Gaudí's unique ideas pushed these styles further. He often found inspiration in nature.

Amazing Spires

Gaudí planned for 18 tall spires on the church. These spires represent important figures. They include the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and the tallest one for Jesus Christ. Thirteen spires were completed by 2023.

The Evangelists' spires have sculptures of their symbols. These are a winged bull, a winged man, an eagle, and a winged lion. The central spire for Jesus Christ will have a giant cross. Its planned height of 172.5 meters will be just below Barcelona's Montjuïc hill. Gaudí believed his work should not be taller than God's creations.

Smaller spires are topped with symbols of the Eucharist. These include communion hosts, wheat, and grapes. Gaudí also planned for tubular bells inside the spires. These bells would be played by the wind. Only one bell is in place right now.

When the Jesus Christ spire is finished, the Sagrada Família will be the tallest church building in the world. It will be 11 meters taller than the current record holder, Ulm Minster. On 29 November 2021, a large, illuminated crystal star was placed on the Virgin Mary's Spire.

Unique Façades

The church will have three grand façades, or outer walls. These are the Nativity façade, the Passion façade, and the Glory façade. Each one tells a different story.

Nativity Façade: A Story of Birth

The Nativity façade was the first to be finished, between 1893 and 1936. It shows scenes from the birth of Jesus. Gaudí's natural style fills it with detailed sculptures. These include animals and plants, each with a special meaning. For example, turtles at the base represent time. Chameleons symbolize change.

This façade faces the rising sun, a symbol of Christ's birth. It has three main doorways, representing Hope, Faith, and Charity. A "Tree of Life" rises above the central door. Four spires on this façade are dedicated to different Saints. Gaudí wanted this façade to be colorful. He also wanted it to be the first one built. He believed its beauty would inspire people. Some statues were damaged in 1936 but were later rebuilt.

Passion Façade: A Story of Sacrifice

The Passion façade looks very different from the Nativity façade. It is simpler and has bare stone. Its harsh, straight lines are meant to look like bones. This façade tells the story of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion. Construction started in 1954, following Gaudí's plans. The spires were finished in 1976.

Sculptors, led by Josep Maria Subirachs, created the figures. They made them rigid and angular to show drama and pain. Gaudí wanted this façade to make people think deeply. He used strong shadows and light to show the seriousness of Christ's sacrifice.

This façade faces the setting sun, symbolizing Christ's death. It has six large, leaning columns that look like strained muscles. Above them is a pyramid shape with bone-like columns. These lead to a large cross. Four spires here are dedicated to other apostles. The three doorways also represent the virtues, but in a more serious way.

The sculptures show scenes from Jesus' last night. These include the Last Supper and his trial. The middle level shows his journey to Calvary. The top level shows his death, burial, and resurrection. A bronze figure connects two spires, showing Jesus' Ascension.

Glory Façade: The Path to Heaven

The Glory Façade will be the largest and most impressive. Construction began in 2002. It will be the main entrance to the church. This façade represents the journey to God. It shows ideas like Death, Final Judgment, and Glory. It also shows the consequences of choosing a path away from good.

Gaudí knew he wouldn't see this façade finished. He made a model, which was later damaged. Fragments of this model helped guide the current design. Finishing this façade might mean moving some buildings nearby.

A large staircase will lead to the Glory Portico. This staircase will go over an underground passage. It will be decorated with symbols of challenges and choices. The portico will have seven columns. These columns are dedicated to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. At their base, you will see representations of the seven deadly sins. At the top, you will see the seven heavenly virtues.

This façade will have five doors, matching the church's five aisles. The central door will have a triple entrance. This gives the Glory Façade a total of seven doors. Each door represents one of the sacraments.

In September 2008, the doors for the Glory façade were installed. These doors show the "Our Father" prayer in Catalan. The words "Our Father" and "Give us this day our daily bread" are also written in fifty other languages. The door handles form the initials "A" and "G" for Antoni Gaudí.

Inside the Sagrada Família

Light coming through stained glass

The church's inside is shaped like a Latin cross with five main sections. The central ceiling vaults reach 45 meters high. The side sections are 30 meters high. Gaudí designed the columns inside to look like trees and branches. They support the roof and create a forest-like feeling.

The columns are unique. They start with a square base and change shape as they rise. They become octagons, then 16-sided, and finally circles. This creates a beautiful and strong structure. Almost no surfaces inside are flat. The decorations are rich, with smooth curves and sharp points. Even the iron railings have curvy designs.

The Grand Organ

Organ located in the chancel

In 2010, an organ was installed in the front part of the church. It has 26 stops and 1,492 pipes. Because the church is so big, more organs will be added later. These organs will work together to fill the vast space with sound. When finished, the entire organ system will have about 8,000 pipes.

Special Shapes and Symbols

Alpha and Omega carving at Sagrada Família entrance

Gaudí used many special geometric shapes in his designs. He used hyperboloid structures, which are curved shapes that add strength. These shapes can be seen in the spires and vaults. Gaudí's style was inspired by nature, not just other artists.

Detail of a steeple of the Passion Façade decorated with the word Sanctus

Many decorations include words from religious prayers. The spires have words like "Hosanna" and "Sanctus." The doors of the Passion façade show parts of Jesus' story from the New Testament. The Glory façade will have words from the Apostles' Creed. Its main door shows the entire "Lord's Prayer" in Catalan. It also has "Give us this day our daily bread" in many languages.

The three entrances represent Faith, Hope, and Love. Each also relates to a part of Christ's life. The Nativity Façade is about his birth. The Passion Façade is about his suffering. The Glory Façade is about his glory. The apse spire has Latin text from the Hail Mary prayer. Different areas of the church will represent saints, virtues, and other ideas.

Burials

Two important people are buried at the Sagrada Família:

José María Bocabella, who first had the idea for the church.
Antoni Gaudí, the brilliant architect who designed it.

History and Recognition

The Sagrada Família is a truly unique building. Art experts have called it one-of-a-kind. Some architects, like Louis Sullivan, greatly admired it. He called it "the greatest piece of creative architecture." Others, like Walter Gropius, praised its technical perfection.

However, not everyone has loved its design. Some people have found it unusual or even strange. Despite different opinions, its special shape has become a symbol of Barcelona. Millions of visitors come to see it every year.

A World Heritage Site

In 1984, UNESCO recognized some of Gaudí's works as World Heritage Sites. This honor shows Gaudí's amazing creativity in architecture. In 2005, UNESCO added two specific parts of the Sagrada Família to this list: the Crypt and the Nativity façade. This highlights their importance to global heritage.

Visiting the Sagrada Família

Visitors can explore many parts of the church. You can see the main area, the crypt, the museum, and the gift shop. You can also go up the Passion and Nativity spires. To go up the spires, you need to book tickets in advance. You take a lift up, then walk a short distance. Coming down involves a narrow spiral staircase with over 300 steps. There are warnings for people with certain health conditions.

You can buy tickets online.

How the Church is Funded

The Sagrada Família's construction does not receive money from the government or official church funds. Early on, private supporters paid for it. Today, money from tourist tickets helps pay for the building work. Private donations are also accepted.

In October 2018, the church's trustees agreed to pay Barcelona city authorities €36 million for a building permit. This was after 136 years of building without one! Most of this money helps improve access between the church and the Barcelona Metro. The city officially issued the permit on 7 June 2019.

Important Events

On 19 April 2011, a small fire started in a part of the church called the sacristy. Everyone inside, including visitors and workers, had to leave safely. The fire was put out quickly.

In August 2017, there was a plan to cause harm at the Sagrada Família. However, this plan was stopped before it could happen. This shows how important it is to keep everyone safe.

On 11 March 2020, construction on the church paused. The basilica also closed its doors. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first time work had stopped since the Spanish Civil War. The church later reopened on 4 July 2020.

Some local people are concerned about plans for a large stairway. This stairway would lead to the main entrance. It might require moving some homes and businesses nearby.