Sagrada

The Sagrada Família, officially Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, is a large Roman Catholic basilica in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Commonly called the Sagrada Família (the Sacred Family in Catalan/Spanish), it is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city and of Antoni Gaudí’s architectural work. The church is dedicated to the Holy Family and is still under construction, funded by private donations and admissions.

Gaudí began work on the project in 1883, after replacing the previous architect. He radically reinterpreted the design as a fusion of Gothic and Art Nouveau forms, characterized by slender, tree-like columns, curving surfaces, and abundant natural light via stained glass. The basilica features three grand facades—Nativity, Passion, and Glory—and a plan with 12 bell-towered spires representing the apostles and Jesus’s central spire still under construction. The interior aims to evoke a forest canopy, with columns branching like trees and multi-hued light.

Construction has continued for more than a century, funded entirely by private contributions. After Gaudí’s death in 1926, work continued under various architects, often interrupted by economic or political crises and more recently by the COVID-19 pandemic. Modern construction uses contemporary technologies to ensure structural integrity and faithful adherence to Gaudí’s complex geometries, with a projected completion in the 2020s.

The Sagrada Família was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 as part of the Works of Antoni Gaudí. It remains a functioning church and a major pilgrimage and tourist site, attracting millions of visitors each year. When completed, it will include the full ensemble of spires and a realized interior that Gaudí designed to convey a sense of transcendence.