La Sagrada
Familia

La Sagrada Familia - Barcelona's most famous monument

Upon entering this marvelous building, the first thing that will leave you speechless is the combination of light, relief, color and spirituality.

The architect Antonio Gaudí, knew how to complement all the details in a perfect and harmonious way, both the sculptures, as well as the shape and height, adorns the cathedral with incredible precision.

From the moment you set foot inside the cathedral, the main thing that jumps out is the naturist style, a personal mark of Gaudí.

The central nave and the apse surprise all tourists with 36 columns perfectly placed in the shape of a tree, apart from other vegetative elements that combine in a unique way with the stained glass windows that flood the space with colors and shades.

Visiting the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia

For the interior of the cathedral, Gaudí used the idea of the architect who preceded him, leaving the Latin cross plan with 5 naves and the ogival elements.

These elements had a gothic style, as a representation of the great cathedrals and churches of Europe, but were transformed to give it a more novel and original style.

A dome with a height of 170 meters was built in the central nave; by the time of Antonio Gaudí’s death (1926) only the crypt, the apse wall and the Nativity door had been built.

In 1976, the painter Josep Maria Subirachs was commissioned to restore the lost splendor to the temple, decorating the facade of the Passion.

There is not a single straight line; this cathedral was conceived with the idea of being as organic as possible, you can only observe curved, twisted and rounded shapes that emulate the shape of trees from the floor to the ceiling.

The maximum height of the cathedral is 175.2 meters, making it the largest building in Barcelona, second only to Mount Montjuïc. Gaudí had the idea that no man-made work should surpass the works of God.

Museum and crypt

The tour inside the basilica leads to the crypt, where Gaudí is buried.

As you continue descending, in a sort of basement, you will find the museum, where the first sketches and plans of what would become the Cathedral are exhibited, as well as a bust and personal objects of Antonio Gaudí, as a tribute to this architect who marked an entire era.

Nativity gate

It is the only one that the famous architect finished during his lifetime. In it he was inspired to collect all aspects of nature, you can see rounded rocks, human figures and vegetative representations.

Most interesting of all, he mixed biblical scenes with divination signs that only those who understand the subject can decipher.

The Nativity door highlights the joy for the conception of Jesus, you can admire classic figures of the Sagrada Familia such as the baby Jesus, St. Joseph, the Virgin, the shepherds and the angels.

From here you can climb to a 60-meter high lookout point, with a simply spectacular view.

The apse

It occupies the third head of the enclosure, it is in the middle of the facades of the Nativity and the Passion. In the center, the chapel of the Assumption will be built, which will be connected to the cloister and will surround the entire enclosure. The original inspiration for the construction of the apse was the Virgin Mary, to whom Gaudí was a faithful devotee.

It contains 7 apse chapels that are a representation of the 7 sorrows and joys of St. Joseph. It is of Gothic style and its construction took place between 1891 and 1893.

Buy tickets to the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona

There are several types of visits, you can choose the one that best suits your budget. Buy your tickets online for the Sagrada Familia and choose the visit to the Sagrada Familia that suits you better:

• Sagrada Familia with audioguide: Covers a tour of the entire interior of the church through an audioguide itinerary and is available in all languages.
• Sagrada Familia with guided tour: You will take a tour of the Sagrada Familia accompanied by a local guide who will explain all the details of the temple.

Remember that the monument is one of the most visited places in Barcelona, so don’t forget to buy your Sagrada Familia Tickets.

Schedule to Visit the Sagrada Familia

Depending on the season, the visiting hours to the Sagrada Familia change.

• From April to September from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
• March and October from 9:00 to 19:00 hours.
• From November to February from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Special dates: December 25-26, January 1-6 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.