La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia in 1898

La Sagrada Familia in 2006

La Sagrada Familia ('The Holy Family'), intended as a large Roman Catholic basilica, is under construction in Barcelona. Construction began in 1882 and its formal title is Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. Antoni Gaudí worked on the project for over 40 years, devoting the last 15 years of his life entirely to this endeavour. On the subject of the extremely long construction period, Gaudí is said to have joked, "My client is not in a hurry." After Gaudí's death in 1926, work continued under the direction of Domènech Sugranyes until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1935. Since then construction has resumed and is ongoing.

This church was not commissioned by the Vatican and has been, and is being, built with private funds and donations from the public. This, in addition to the complex architectural features, is the reason the basilica is still under construction after 125 years. The latest projection for completion is 2026.

The Nativity Facade

A Crusader

The Passion Door Statue of Jesus

One of the Stained Glass Windows

Light Show from the Stained Glass Window

Every part of the design of La Sagrada Família is rich with Christian symbolism, as Gaudí intended the church to be the "last great sanctuary of Christendom". Its most striking aspect is its spindle-shaped towers. A total of 18 tall towers are called for, representing in ascending order of height the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ. (According to the 2005 "Works Report" of the temple's official website, drawings signed by Gaudí found recently in the Municipal Archives indicate that the tower of the Virgin was in fact intended by Gaudí to be shorter than those of the evangelists, and this is the design, which the Works Report states is more compatible with the existing foundations, that will be followed.