Sagrada Família is the lifelong work of architect Antonio Gaudí, who devoted the last 15 years of his life to completing this religious masterpiece. Tourists from all over the globe flock to the building, which was designed by the architect to be the “last great sanctuary of Christendom.”

 

Construction on this Roman Catholic basilica began in 1882. Architect Antoni Gaudí took charge of the massive project, determined to make it the grandest and unique church. So much so, that he became a social recluse during the last 15 years of his life, reserving all his efforts into building Sagrada Família.

Domènech Sugranyes took over the construction when Gaudi died, but the Spanish Civil War slowed down the work in 1935. When order was restored, the project regained momentum and is still presently ongoing, with computer systems incorporated into the construction since the 1980s.

But even while construction is ongoing, around 2.2 million people visited the site in 2004 alone, making it one of the top tourist destinations in Spain.

The crypt is the work of the church's very first architect Francesc de Paula Villar i Lozano, and also ahouses Gaudí's remains. A museum chronicles the history of the church and its architects.

Three grand facades are also already in place, although still involved with the ongoing construction: the Nativity Façade bearing the most Gaudí influence, with doorways representing Faith, Hope, and Charity; the Passion Façade, completed in the 1980s by Josep Maria Subirachs and bearing controversial figures such as the flogged Christ; and the Glory Façade on the south, which is yet to be completed.

The Sagrada Família is targeted to be finished in 2026 (also Gaudí's centennial death anniversary). The spindle-shaped towers are the basilica's most anticipated feature, 18 of them representing Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and the 12 Apostles. The Sagrada Família thus offers one unforgettable pilgrim experience, a monumental work in progress in Barcelona.

How to get there

By metro: Sagrada Familia. By bus: 19, 43, 51.

Opening days

Open daily

Opening hours

Oct to Mar - Daily 09:00-18:00; Apr to Sep - Daily 09:00-20:00; Dec 25, Dec 26 to Jan 1 and Jan 6 09:00-14:00

Construction on this Roman Catholic basilica began in 1882. Architect Antoni Gaudí took charge of the massive project, determined to make it the grandest and unique church. So much so, that he became a social recluse during the last 15 years of his life, reserving all his efforts into building Sagrada Família.

Domènech Sugranyes took over the construction when Gaudi died, but the Spanish Civil War slowed down the work in 1935. When order was restored, the project regained momentum and is still presently ongoing, with computer systems incorporated into the construction since the 1980s.

But even while construction is ongoing, around 2.2 million people visited the site in 2004 alone, making it one of the top tourist destinations in Spain.

The crypt is the work of the church's very first architect Francesc de Paula Villar i Lozano, and also ahouses Gaudí's remains. A museum chronicles the history of the church and its architects.

Three grand facades are also already in place, although still involved with the ongoing construction: the Nativity Façade bearing the most Gaudí influence, with doorways representing Faith, Hope, and Charity; the Passion Façade, completed in the 1980s by Josep Maria Subirachs and bearing controversial figures such as the flogged Christ; and the Glory Façade on the south, which is yet to be completed.

The Sagrada Família is targeted to be finished in 2026 (also Gaudí's centennial death anniversary). The spindle-shaped towers are the basilica's most anticipated feature, 18 of them representing Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and the 12 Apostles. The Sagrada Família thus offers one unforgettable pilgrim experience, a monumental work in progress in Barcelona.

How to get there

By metro: Sagrada Familia. By bus: 19, 43, 51.

Opening days

Open daily

Opening hours

Oct to Mar - Daily 09:00-18:00; Apr to Sep - Daily 09:00-20:00; Dec 25, Dec 26 to Jan 1 and Jan 6 09:00-14:00