The main attraction of Barcelona; La Sagrada Família

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (English: Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family) commonly known as the Sagrada Família, is a large Roman Catholic church designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926).

Since the first stone in 1882, the church is still not complete. Estimated is that the church will be ready in 2026-2028. The process of the church depends of the amount of money the visitors bring into the church. The construction budget for 2009 was €18 million. In the beginning only two people worked on the Sagrada Família, now there are more than one hundred people involved, including fifteen Architects.

History
Francisco de Paula del Villar designed the church for free. He designed it in the then prevailing neo-Gothic style. Fransisco began the construction of the crypt in 1882, but after a disagreement he was fired. From here on Gaudí took over. Gaudí finished the crypt under the original designs of Fransesco, but after he followed his own ideas. Gaudí has designed many beautiful buildings like Casa Milá, Casa Batllo and Park Guell but the Sagrada Família is his absolute masterpiece. It was also his last work. Gaudí devoted the last years of his life to the church. In 1926 Gaudí was hit by a tram, and died some days later. He was buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia.

Style
The style of the church is variously likened to Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism and to Art Nouveau or Catalan Noucentisme. While the Sagrada Família falls within the Art Nouveau period. Gaudí carried the Art Nouveau style far beyond its usual application as a surface decoration.

The church will have three facades that each represent a stage of the life of Jesus; the facade of the birth, the facade of suffering and the front is the façade of the glory, each with four bell towers.
The church is just a few meters below the Montjuïc, the highest hill in Barcelona. Gaudi did this out of respect for The Creator: he does not want to exceed with his building in height.

Visitors can access the Nave, Crypt, Museum, Shop, and the Passion and Nativity towers. Discover la Sagrada Familia yourself!

Price
Adult €13
+ audioguide €17
+ Guided €17
<18, retired €11
+ Audioguide €14
+ Guided €15

Times
- October to March, 9.00 to 18.00 h
- April to September, 9.00 to 20.00 h