26 Inspiring Photos of Sagrada Família

Welcome to our photolog of Antoni Gaudi’s architectural masterpiece, El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, aka La Sagrada Família. Opinions on this minor basilica are mixed.

See the photo gallery below to experience the grandeur (or gaudiness?) that is Sagrada Família, and then let us know what you think in a comment.

135 Years of Construction

Construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882. In 1883, the original architect resigned and Antoni Gaudi took over as the chief architect. Gaudi’s vision of the cathedral includes Gothic and Art Nouveau designs. The design includes eighteen spires. The spires represent the apostles, the four evangelists who wrote the gospels of the New Testament, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Gaudi worked on the cathedral until his untimely death when he was hit by a tram in 1926; he is buried in the crypt. The architects that followed Gaudi maintained his original designs. Work on the cathedral continues today; it is thought the cathedral may be complete by 2026.

Gaudi built Provisional Schools on the site for the children of the workers and the neighbourhood. The site also includes a workshop where scale models and drawings are created to guide the work.

In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and declared it a minor basilica.

The Gaudi Style

Gaudi is the architect of several other famous designs around Barcelona, like Casa Batlló, Casa Milà and Park Güell. These buildings show Gaudi’s unique, free-flowing style and his inspiration from nature’s organic forms. Straight lines are to be avoided.

In case you wonder, the English word “gaudy” does not come from Antoni Gaudi’s name. You can’t be blamed for thinking it might; I did. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “gaudy” is an adjective that means “extravagantly bright or showy, particularly so as to be tasteless.” Easy to see how some people might think of Gaudi’s designs as bright, showy and, yes, tasteless to some. But the dictionary says the word “gaudy” originates from the 15th century. The etymology is probably from the word “gaud”, which means “a showy or purely ornamental thing.”

Sagrada Família Photo Gallery

Click on the photos below to view them full size and to learn about the Sagrada Famíglia.

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When you walk through Plaça (park) de la Sagrada Família and get your first glimpse of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, you are struck by its grandeur, and that it looks like a structure that was built hundreds of years ago. But it is still under construction today. It then occurred to me that we are experiencing the creation of a historic monument, something we haven't seen in our time. It is similar to what the people experienced when the Coliseum or St Peter's Basilica were built, or maybe the pyramids.Approaching El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família from the Park, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

It is worth it to ascend one of the spires and see the construction site and Barcelona from a different viewpoint. El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.Jesus Overlooking Barcelona from El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The exterior of the Nativity facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família is covered in carved vegetation and statues. The statues depict the life of the Holy Family, including the Annunciation to Mary, an image of the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity Scene, the Coronation of the Virgin and Jesus preaching in the temple, among others.The Nativity Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The focal point of the exterior of the Nativity facade for me is the Nativity scene above the main doors of the facade. There are angels and the Star of Bethlehem looking down on the scene. El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Nativity Scene on the Nativity Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The three wise men, bearing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, are to the left of the Nativity scene on the Nativity facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família,The Adoration of the Kings on El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

Statues of the shepherds, with sheep and what looks like a dog, are part of the Nativity Scene. El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Shepherds on El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The doors on the Nativity Facade continue Gaudi's recognition that all life is to be celebrated. The door is covered in carvings of plants and tiny creatures. El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.Door on the Nativity Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The stained glass windows on the Nativity facade are primarily blues and greens to represent birth, life and peace. Consequently, the walls and columns on that side of the cathedral are lit with the same cool tones during the day. I would like to have seen El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família at night.The Nativity Facade Entrance of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The pillars of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família branch out at the top to resemble trees. I think the domes lights at the top of the pillars resemble knots in the tree trunks, but that is just me.The Nativity Facade Windows and Pillars of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The reds and yellows in the Passion facade's stained glass windows represent conflict, suffering and death. El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Passion Facade Windows of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The Passion Facade faces west, so the setting sun creates a spectacular display of light in El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Sun Setting on the Passion Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

As the sun sets on the Passion facade of the cathedral the stained glass windows light up the ceiling of the nave on that side with floral patterns. El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.Floral Patterns from the Passion Facade Windows of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

There is something to see everywhere you look inside El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.Visitors Contemplating the Interior of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

Because the sun rises on the Nativity side and sets on the Passion side the light in the basilica changes tone dramatically throughout the day. But the windows are clear glass at the very top of the central nave to bathe the ceiling of the central nave in white light and to increase the overall light level in El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Contrasting Colours of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The focus of the austere Passion facade is undoubtedly the 18 bone-shaped and bone-coloured columns holding the words "JESUS NAZARENUS REX IUDÆORUM". El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Exterior of the Passion Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

A depiction of Peter denying Christ on the Passion facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família. The statues on this facade are deliberately very angular with dark shadows.Peter Denying Christ on the Passion Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

One of the scenes depicted on the Passion facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família is the Judgement of Christ.The Judgement of Christ on the Passion Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

Christ is being flagellated in this scene outside the main door of the Passion Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Flagellation on the Passion Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

These scenes of Christ carrying his cross and of the Crucifixion are prominently placed above the main doors of the Passion Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Crucifixion on the Passion Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The Glory Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família is the front of the basilica. The exterior of this facade is still under construction. The facade will represent the path to God and the glory of God. The facade will be decorated with the seven deadly sins, the seven virtues, demons and idols. There will be depictions of death, heaven, hell and purgatory. It will be the largest of the 3 facades.The Glory Facade of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.

The ceiling of the nave resembles the canopy of the forest, except it is off-white and cream coloured instead of green. It may be the sky, but then I don't understand the tree trunks. Anyone know? El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família.The Ceiling of the Nave of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The chancel of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família is framed by two pillars bearing luminescent medallions honouring Mark and Luke, two of the evangelists.The Chancel and Altar of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

I confess I do not understand the canopy over the cross on the altar of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família. I suspect they needed to make the cross stand out in the relative darkness. With no disrespect the canopy looks to me like a parachute or a parasol.The Altar of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The chancel ceiling of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família. You can just see the other two pillars bearing luminescent medallions honouring the evangelists, John and Mathew.The Chancel Ceiling of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

Wikipedia says there are 1,492 pipes on El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família's single organ today, and the plan is to install several more organs throughout the cathedral. They will be played individually or together from a central console. There will be about 8000 pipes when completed.The Organ Pipes of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

The grave of Antoni Gaudi is in the crypt of El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família. I believe there is some access to it, but we didn't try.The Crypt Where Lies Antoni Gaudi in El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.