Sagrada Família

Construction of Sagrada Família began on 19 March 1882 under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. When Villar resigned in 1883, Antoni Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his unique architectural and engineering style. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, but his death in 1926 left less than a quarter of the construction complete. The church's construction was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, and it wasn't until the 1950s that progress resumed. In recent years, advancements in technology have enabled faster progress, with the midpoint of construction reached in 2010.

Architecture

Sagrada Família is a basilica and temple expiatory designed by Antoni Gaudí. The church combines Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms, making it one of the most extraordinary personal interpretations of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages. The building's design is characterized by intricate stone carvings, stunning stained-glass windows, and a complex system of arches and vaults. The central tower, intended to reach 172 meters when completed, has already surpassed Ulm Minster as the world's tallest church.

Location

Sagrada Família is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The address is Rua Teodomiro Porto da Fonseca, and it is situated near other notable landmarks such as Park Güell and Casa Batlló.

Denomination and Religious Significance

Sagrada Família is a Catholic church under construction, designed to be the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. The basilica was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on 7 November 2010 and proclaimed a minor basilica.

Notable Features

• The central tower, intended to reach 172 meters when completed
• The intricate stone carvings and stunning stained-glass windows
• A complex system of arches and vaults
• Gaudí's unique architectural and engineering style

Organ and Bells

The organ at Sagrada Família is a notable feature of the church. However, no information on its specifications or history is available.

Heritage Status

Sagrada Família was added to an existing UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Works of Antoni Gaudí", in 2005. The site includes other notable works by Gaudí, such as Park Güell and Casa Batlló.

Opening Hours and Accessibility

The opening hours for Sagrada Família are not available due to the ongoing construction process.

Notable Artworks or Relics

Gaudí is buried in the church's crypt. The crypt also houses many of Gaudí's original plans and models, which were partially destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.

Current Status

As of March 2024, an updated forecast reconfirmed a likely completion of the building in 2026. However, work on sculptures, decorative details, and a controversial stairway leading to the main entrance is expected to continue until 2034.