Sagrada Familia

The Sagradra Familia is a famous church in Barcelona, Spain. This is one of the hottest tourist spot nowaday. 

Many people, including me, assume that this huge, elaborate Gaudí building must be Barcelona’s main Cathedral—but not so! The Sagrada Familia is in fact a Basilica, meaning a Church that had been granted special status by the Pope. 

It is located over the apse and stands 138 metres tall, surrounding the large hyperboloid that lights, the altar, drawing sunlight from outside into the presbytery. The inside of the tower will be an empty monumental space full of light. 

Of the 135 metres tall they will stand by 2022, the four towers of the Evangelists are now at 90.10 metres, on the fourth of the thirteen levels they will have. Once finished, they will stand 135 metres tall with their pinnacles. Plus, they have put in two of the four bridges that will connect the towers of the evangelists to the tower of Jesus Christ.

In 2018, work is focusing on continuing to establish the towers of the Evangelists and the Virgin Mary and beginning work on the tower of Jesus Christ. The remaining symbolic elements on the upper portico of the Passion façade are also being executed and put in place. Currently, 70% of the Basilica is finished, and they are working on building the six central towers.

Up to now, 156 panels have been put in place on the tower of the Virgin Mary. Precisely, they are currently on the twelfth of a total of nineteen levels, with the tower standing at 97.68 metres. It is anticipated to reach 102.31 metres by the end of the year.

All things considered, it will be the tallest, at 172.5 metres when it is finish. The shell is made up of twelve paraboloids (like the dome of the sacristy) of triangular windows, with svelte porphyry arrises at the corners, representing the blood of Jesus Christ. Inside, 85 metres from the temple, visitors will enter a first space, 60 metres up, with a stone spiral staircase with a glass enclosed lift at the centre.

Now, let’s talk about the exterior!

Not only the interior is stunning, but it was also drastically different from the exterior. Unlike the façade, with its striking carvings, the inside was made of sleek, white stone painted by colored light from the elaborate stained glass windows all around the room. It was utterly breathtaking.

Do you know that there is also a museum in there?

Outside and down some stairs, I didn’t expected to see a museum. It included many things, such as Gaudí’s designs, models, and information about the history and construction of the building.

Additionally, you can pay to go up either the Passion or Nativity Façade. After a short elevator ride, you will be at the top of the tower, giving an unforgettable view of the city.

Therefore, going to the historical Sagrada Familia will give you a blast!