A gem of Barcelona that you MUST see: the beautiful temple of La Sagrada Família

Beautiful La Sagrada Família is probably the first thing that comes to mind when someone says the name Antoni Gaudí. This genius architect who has an account right away several of Barcelona gems, is its author. And the Sagrada, as his crowning work, is today the most visited monument in all of Spain a one of the jewels of the UNESCO cultural heritage.

Sagrada Familia is still one big construction site

Sagrada Família (officially as Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, translated Temple of Reconciliation dedicated to the Holy Family) is a temple that Gaudi built in his typical modernist style as a tribute to Christianity and it is certainly one of the most original church buildings in the world. This also led to the fact that over the years the Sagrada became one of the the main symbols of Barcelona. The novel building with a base measuring 110 meters and a height of 170 meters (the height of the main dome including the cross) is simply an unmissable dominant feature of the city skyline.

Compare tickets to Sagrada Família

If you know you want to visit the temple, I recommend studying what tickets are available and how much they cost. My article will guide you through the selection. 

Compare individual tickets to Sagrada Família or buy now

Gaudí's original dream was to build the greatest sanctuary of Christianity – and so far everything indicates that this will be the case, because nowhere else in the world will you find a building that even comes close to the Sagrada in its size, splendor or beauty...

What you will find in the article:

• History Sagrada Família – how did this church come about?
• Sagrada Família outside: exterior and towers
• 3 facades: Birth, Passion and Resurrection
• What does it look like inside?
• Access to the towers, museum and crypt
• Don't forget to wear appropriate clothing and footwear
• How much does it cost and where to buy tickets
• Frequently asked questions

How and when history began to be written Sagrada Família?

With the idea of ​​building a Christian temple in Barcelona the Catalan philanthropist and publisher Josep Maria Bocabella arrived around 1866. During his visit to the Vatican, he was captivated by the Holy Hut, the famous basilica in the city of Loreto. His dream was to have a similar building sweetening Christianity in Barcelona. 

Interior Sagrada Família is impressive

Bocabella like that he started a public fundraiser with the aim of raising enough money for the building. This was done and construction began. The architect Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano was entrusted with its management. So no - Gaudí was not at the building Sagrada Família from the beginning.

How long does it take to build? Sagrada Família?

The construction of the temple began in 1882 and continues to this day. An interesting fact is that the original architect participated in the project for only a year, after which he was dismissed due to disagreements with Bocabella, and the newly thirty-year-old Gaudí took his place on a recommendation. 

The interior changes color based on the time of day due to the influence of the sun

The original architect's plan was to build a purely neo-Gothic church, referring to medieval architecture. And this was something that meant absolutely nothing to Gaudí. 

Therefore, a year after the start of construction, in 1883, Gaudí came up with his own project: Sagrada Família will be built in "his" modernist style as well as all other constructions in which he had participated up to that time. 

He planned to settle his temple 18 towers, where 12 were supposed to represent the apostles, 4 evangelists, one the Virgin Mary and the highest one Jesus Christ. However, Gaudí himself did not live to see the planned result and the end of the construction he did not live to die due to a tragic death. 

Sagrada Família is a building from another world

Why Gaudí never finished the temple Sagrada Família?

The reasons why Sagrada Família not yet finished, there are several: 

1. Complexity of construction – Gaudí was a maximalist and Sagrada Família was supposed to be his crowning achievement. The scale of this church building has no competition in the world.
2. Emphasis on detail – Gaudí's inventions, creativity and attention to detail caused that Sagrada Família it simply cannot be built in a few years. That is, not if you want to maintain a high quality of craftsmanship combined with a perhaps even pedantic adherence to the smallest details.
3. Construction financing from public sources - Gaudí he continued the idea of ​​Bocabella and wanted to finance everything with public money and donations - all entrance fees collected from visitors go directly to the construction of the temple. Private companies, the government and church organizations are not involved in the financing of the construction.
4. Political changes - Sagrada Família has gone through several political regimes and wars since its inception. Fortunately, they (like other churches in the city) did not damage it so much, but they caused the construction to stop or at least slow down significantly. 
5. Personal changes – on the construction site Sagrada Família after Gaudí's death, several main architects took their place. It was not at all easy for many of them to continue the ambitious plans of the brilliant architect - each of them had their own style and ideas, which caused several changes and deviations from the original project. 

When will it be? Sagrada Família completed?

The construction completion date is scheduled for 2026. This corresponds to the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death. In the past, there were rumors that the original deadline would not be met due to various crises (economic, political, coronavirus,...) and that everything would only happen in 2030. But in the end, everything turned out for the best and everything is going according to the original plan again, so we could actually see the completed Sagrada in a few years. 

Interest Sagrada Família it is huge - every tourist wants to see this temple!

Why isn't it Sagrada Família the cathedral?

A lot of people get it wrong (I was one of them!) but Sagrada Família it cannot be called a cathedral. The designation cathedral is reserved only for those church buildings where the bishop has his seat. In the case of Barcelona, ​​this is only found in Cathedral of St. Eulalia.

That's why Fr Sagrada Família we can speak "only" as a temple, church or basilica. It received the official status of a basilica in 2010 from Pope Benedict XVI.

What to see from the outside Sagrada Família?

Although the building is not yet finished and the ugly cranes around still hate her beauty a little the originality and majesty are breathtaking.

View of the temple from the side from Pl. de la Sagrada Família

To begin with, take a nice walk around the temple from all sides - you will see all 18 towers, richly decorated with various ornaments, arches and projections, as is characteristic of Gaudí's work. The building itself is extraordinarily beautiful, architecturally it is a unique work that has nothing to do with everyday reality - as if she came from a fairy tale world.

How many towers does it have Sagrada Família?

Sagrada Família it has a total of 18 towers. It is important to know that they are not all the same: each one looks different and also has a different meaning.

1. Tower of Jesus Christ – at 172 meters it is the tallest tower in Barcelona, ​​but also the church building in the world
2. Tower of the Virgin Mary – the second tallest tower rising to a height of 138 meters
3. Towers of the 4 Evangelists – the unique towers of Marko, Matouš, Lukáš and Jan can be found at a height of 135 meters
4. Tower of the 12 Apostles – each of the towers is around 100 meters

Facades of the temple Sagrada Família

As you walk around the temple, you will definitely not miss, how the building differs in architecture, style and content from all sides. Gaudí's intention is also behind this: each of the three facades carries a different theme and is also symbolically oriented to a different side of the world. 

3 facades Sagrada Família: 1 – Glory facade (facing south), 2 – Nativity facade (facing east), 3 – Passion facade (facing west); although it is not visible from the outside, Sagrada Família it has a Latin cross plan

Let's take a look at the facades as they were created: 

Nativity facade: the oldest facade

The Nativity facade is the oldest of the three. It was created under the baton of Gaudí in the years 1894 – 1930.

This facade is supposed to refer to the birth and early life of Jesus Christ. The richly decorated facade, full of details, contains many symbols and scenes from Christianity:

• they are the dominant element here three portals, each referring to one Christian theme: faith, hope, love
• above the highest, middle portal is cypress as a symbol of the tree of life. At the tip you will see the red letter T (or Tau) representing God. It bears diagonal stripes in the letter X, representing the name of Christ. The dove on top with outstretched wings is the Holy Spirit. You will find all three persons of the Holy Trinity represented on the tree.
• you can see further 6 towers of the apostles with their names and richly decorated tops, inspired by plants
• you can find here lots of statues, such as chameleons as a symbol of change and the need to adapt - will you see them?

Passion facade: 

If you go around the temple to the facade of the Passion, you will be surprised how one building can look so different from different sides!

The facade of Umučeni appears rather austere and cold. Relatively empty surfaces with a minimum of details are intended to direct your attention to abundant groups of sculptures:

• at the very bottom you will find a scene from the Lord's Last Supper
• a little further on is a statue of the name Judas' kiss; you will certainly not miss the snake as a Christian symbol of the devil or evil; right next to the statue is a cryptogram where the sum of all the numbers always gives 33, i.e. the age of Christ's death
• a group of three women is referring to Peter's denial of Christ, who is shamelessly depicted here as a destitute beggar.
• Ecce homo: Christ appears to the people with a crown of thorns on his head
• Pontius Pilate, after condemning Jesus to crucifixion, he washes his hands
• and of course the second six towers of the apostles

How did you understand the facades of the Passion is mainly to show what the life of Jesus Christ looked like just before his death on the cross. 

Glory facade: the main facade

The newest facade and the most important facade that is still not finished. This will be the main facade and where the main entrance to the temple will be located. 

The facade is supposed to depict a person's journey through life, all the temptations and pitfalls, including the 7 deadly sins, and all of this ending with the ascension to God. 

The majesty of the frontage with the main entrance to Sagrada Família it will support a 60-meter-long staircase leading up to the main avenue Carrer d'Aragó. But this plan arouses quite a lot of resentment among local residents, because the construction would have to give way to two city blocks on Carrer de Mallorca and approx. 3000 people would have to look for new housing. We'll see how it turns out in the end...

Tip: look at map of Gaudi buildings in Barcelona, on which you will also find a temple marked Sagrada Família.

How it looks inside Sagrada Família?

Inside the temple you can see not only unusual corrugated and bumpy ceilings, but also brightly colored glass stained glass in the windows. They stand out the most at sunset, when the passing light offers you views of almost all the colors and shades of the rainbow. 

You can also take the elevator up to one of the two towers and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city. Here, too, you need to expect a wait - due to the limited capacity, the elevators sometimes do not keep up, even if you purchase a visit to the towers for a certain hour.

(If you decide to visit the towers, be aware that the elevator only goes in one direction, up; you'll have to walk down a fairly narrow, spiral staircase through the middle of the tower to get down). 

Towers, museum and crypt

The basic price of a ticket to the temple includes entrance to the museum and the crypt, which is located under the altar. If you want to treat yourself to a view of the city from above, you can buy tickets for the towers in addition to the basic ticket. There are two of them and you have to choose one of them when purchasing (you cannot see both within one entry): 

1. Tower of the Passion Facade (the so-called passion facade)
2. Tower of the Nativity facade (the so-called nativity facade)

Wondering which tower to visit? I recommend the second one connected to the Nativity facade to everyone (Nativity facade). There are several reasons: 

• the tower was built under the supervision of Gaudí, the other was created after his death
• there is a bridge with a super view connecting two towers within the facade
• the tower is oriented towards the sea

In any case, before your visit, go through the available photos on the Internet and consider which of the towers will be the right one for you. 

Below I share the experience of visiting the towers from one reader:

From your experience: The towers are an experience, but don't expect a great view

When ordering tickets, it is necessary to first select the time of entry to the towers and then select the time of entry to the cathedral from three 15-minute intervals, the time remaining before entering the towers can be used to orientate yourself in the cathedral, I didn't see any other point in that.

Visitors have to stand in a rather long line in front of the cathedral (but it goes quickly), at the end of which visitors with a ticket are separated. A fairly strict security check is carried out before entry.

The entrance to the elevator is separated from the cathedral area by tapes and there are lockers for storing backpacks. The elevator can fit 6 people, and after climbing the tower, you can briefly look around the walkway, which is about 6 m long and about 1,5 m wide. The view is limited by the neighboring towers, the delay here is short, only until the arrival of the elevator with the next group , more people cannot fit on the walkway. The way back is possible only by walking up a narrow spiral staircase, it's a bit of an adrenaline rush. After descending, it is possible to view the cathedral without restrictions.

After these experiences, I think it is wiser to skip visiting the towers and if someone wants to see Barcelona from a height, it is better to take the cable car to Montjuic.

Don't forget to wear appropriate clothing and shoes!

Whereas the Sagrada Família is a classical church building, keep in mind that it is advisable to adhere to the dress code to show proper respect for this place. 

What should you stick to so you don't embarrass yourself and enjoy your visit?

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for your visit: don't come here in slippers or even barefoot
• Do not wear any head covering such as cap or hat in the main temple and museum
• Do not wear any clothing that shows through
• Do not wear off-the-shoulder tops, low-cut clothing; just don't expose yourself unnecessarily
• Don't go here in shorts or short skirts

How much does it cost and where to buy tickets?

About tickets to Sagrada Família I write extensively in a separate article. The information below is just an extract from it:

Ticket prices

• Temple visit: €26 (€30 with guide)
• Visiting the temple and towers: €36 (€40 with guide)
• Children under 11 years of age and ZTP accompanied: Free

There is also a special version of the ticket with a small group guide - he will tell you colorfully about the history of Sagrada, describe everything in detail and answer all your questions. The package price also includes skipping the lines and going straight inside (official guides have a reserved entrance). 

Buy a ticket to Sagrada Família >>>

You definitely need to buy tickets to Sagrada Familia forward on the website. The reason is simple – Tickets cannot be purchased on site.. Accordingly, they will only refer you to QR codes that are on site and that will still lead you to online purchases. 

If you don't have money to spare and you don't want to spend money on a visit to the temple, at least admire the exterior of the Sagrada - In my opinion, the building looks better from the outside than from the inside. And even a walk around will probably take you half an hour, because there is really something to look at!

entry into Sagrada Familia for free?
If you have really deep pockets and really want to go inside, you can visit the Sagrada for free during mass :) Masses in several languages ​​are held every Sunday 9:00-10:00. In addition, there are also irregular masses, theirs you can find the list in the calendar on the website. The number of places is limited and it is first come, first served. From my experience, I recommend to be here around 8:30 at the latest. You don't need a ticket to enter, nor do you need to register anywhere. Just please dress appropriately and remember that this is a church event. However, Masses are held in the crypt and not in the basilica. Entrance is from Carrer de Marina. 

Frequently asked questions about Sagrada Familia

All things concerning buying tickets to Sagrada Familia I discuss in a separate article. 

Where can I buy tickets for the visit? Sagrada Familia?
You can buy tickets on the official website of the temple. Tickets are always purchased for a specific date and time. You can usually buy tickets a maximum of 2 months in advance. If you want a ticket for a date more in the future than those 2 months, set a reminder on your calendar and wait for it to go on sale. 

Can I buy tickets for the visit on the spot?
No, unfortunately it's not possible. Even if you stand in line to chat with one of the local staff, they will always refer you to the website or mobile app. 

I have bought a ticket, what time do I have to be there for the tour? 
I always recommend to visit the temple at least 10-15 minutes before the time written on your ticket. Even with a ticket, you can't avoid the queue, but it is cleared relatively quickly and you can get inside within a few minutes after your arrival. 

What if I miss my entry time?
You're out of luck and won't get in. Due to the interest, it is not possible to postpone the entry for the purchased ticket if you miss it. It is possible to contact us to return the ticket customer support by email, but they return the money for the ticket more in the case when for some reason they make a mistake themselves (i.e. you don't get somewhere you were supposed to go due to their fault). 

My plans have changed, can I reschedule my visit?
If you know in advance that you cannot arrive at the planned time, your visit can be rescheduled. Just write to email sales support.

Do I have to have the ticket printed? 
If you buy a ticket to the temple online, you do not need to print the ticket and show it on your phone or other device. 

When I buy a ticket online, which entrance should I use? 
If you already have a ticket, use the entrance from Carrer de la Marina (Nativity facade).

How much time should I allow for the visit?
You can easily go through everything in 2-3 hours. Including a tour of the exterior, the basilica, the crypt and the tower. If you only have entry to the basilica, count on half the time. If you don't have time to spare, an hour is enough for a visit. 

I buy a ticket for the towers as well and there is only 15 minutes between the entrance to the basilica and the entrance to the towers, what about that?
Take it easy - during those 15 minutes you can take a quick look at the temple and then head for the elevator to the towers. Once you pass those, you can go back to the temple and stay there as long as you want. 

Is it allowed to take pictures inside?
Yes. If you want to take photos for your own use, that's fine. Only professionals who need press accreditation are exempt. 

It is in Sagrada Família luggage storage? 
No. If you arrive here with a suitcase or backpack, you will need to carry it with you the whole way. The only exception is climbing the tower, see the next question. I recommend looking for some luggage storage around the Sagrada Familia. 

What else to prepare for?
Before you get inside the temple, you will be subjected to a thorough security check at the entrance, similar to an airport. And if you're going to climb the towers, prepare a metal coin or token to temporarily store your backpack or other belongings in a storage box - they won't let you up with anything on your back. 

If, like the author of this website, you consider Gaudí to be a genius architect, you should not miss his other important works in Barcelona: the houses Casa Batlló a La Pedrera on the street Passeig de Gràcia, Palau Güell near the boulevard La Rambla a Park Guell extending over city ​​center. All other Gaudí buildings in Barcelona.

And when you're there Sagrada Família, I also recommend going to see the nearby Sant Pau complex. Many people don't know about this other gem and it's a shame... 

Address:	Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
Transportation:	metro lines L2 a L5, station Sagrada Familia
Opening hours:	November to February: – Monday–Saturday: 09:00–18:00 – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 18:00 p.m March and October: – Monday–Saturday: 09:00–19:00 – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 19:00 p.m April to September 09.00-20.00 – Monday–Saturday: 09:00–20:00 – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 20:00 p.m December 25 and 26, January 1 and 6 09:00 - 14:00
Entrance fee:	Temple visit: €26 (€30 with a guide) Visit to the temple and towers: €36 (€40 with a guide) Children under 11 years of age and ZTP accompanied: Free Purchase tickets without cancellation >>> Purchase tickets with the option of cancellation >>> Buying tickets with a guide >>> Detailed information about the entrance fee to Sagrada Família - comparison of all available options
More information:	https://sagradafamilia.org/