Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain


Architect
 Antoni Gaudi
Date Built
 Started 1882 - projected completion date 2030
Location
 Carrer de Mallorca, 401
Description
The Sagrada Familia poses a problem when deciding where it fits in history.  Since this website is dedicated to buildings designed or completed after 1900, the Sagrada Familia could have been omitted because its construction started in 1882.  On the other hand, I could have listed it in the 2010 - 2019 decade because, as you can see from the images above and below taken in 2014, it is still a building under construction. 



However, I have decided to place it in the 1900 - 1929 portion of the website because this encompasses the period of time during which Antoni Gaudi was in charge of its design and construction. Regardless of how many other architects and builders will have worked on it, throughout what might be the 150 years it will take to complete it, this will always be Gaudi's basilica.  The church's website adds that, "Today, the building of the church follows Gaudí's original idea and, just as he himself did, the best techniques are applied to make the building work safer, more comfortable and faster."



The Barcelona Turisme website explains that, "Sagrada Família is intended to be a symbolic building, and this explains why it has three monumental façades: the eastern one dedicated to the birth of Christ, the western one dedicated to the Passion of Christ, and the Glory façade, which is the biggest of all, and is devoted to religious faith. The four towers on each façade represent the 12 Apostles"

- The Nativity Facade -







- The Passion Facade -










- The Glory Facade -

One day this will be the main entrance to the church but, as you can see below, it is still a long way from completion.




- The Inside -
The inside of the church is breathtaking.  The columns in the nave rise like giant trees into the canopy above. As the Wikipedia page says, "Essentially none of the interior surfaces are flat; the ornamentation is comprehensive and rich, consisting in large part of abstract shapes which combine smooth curves and jagged points. Even detail-level work such as the iron railings for balconies and stairways are full of curvaceous elaboration."














The interior of the building is bathed in colour from the many stained glass windows.

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