Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Família is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. Beyond its towering spires and intricate facades lies a world of secrets that most visitors never discover. Catalan architect and visionary Antoni Gaudí designed the basilica. The stunning structure, although unfinished, is rich with stories and symbolism. Here are some of the most surprising, fascinating, and little-known facts about the Sagrada Família.
Why the Sagrada Família Has Taken Over 140 Years to Build
Construction for the Sagrada Família started in 1882. More than 140 years later, the unfinished basilica is one of the longest-running architectural projects in history. Gaudí created an ambitious design using innovative structural engineering and unconventional practices. He pushed for the use of untraditional materials and new techniques. His goal was to create a church made by the people, for the people. With no government funding, the Sagrada Família relies solely on private donations and ticket sales. The Spanish Civil War in 1936, an arsonist attack in 2011, and the global pandemic also slowed the construction progress. The basilica have taken substantially longer to build that the Egyptian pyramids!
The Spanish War Almost Destroyed Gaudí´s Legacy
In 1936, at the onset of the Spanish Civil War, anarchists destroyed the Sagrada Familia workshop. Attackers set fire to Gaudí’s studio. Much of his work was destroyed, including original plans, drawings, and plaster models. Gaudí had tragically and unexpectedly died 10 years before, having been hit by a tram in 1926. Photographs and the memories of former collaborators were heavily relied on for trying to piece together the missing pieces of Gaudí’s original design after the Spanish War attack.
Nature, Numbers, and Music: Gaudí’s Hidden Inspirations
Gaudí was deeply inspired by nature, numbers, and music. He weaved them seamlessly throughout the fabric of his designs in Barcelona, including the Sagrada Família. The impressive towering columns branch out from the basilica like trees in a forest. This structure creates a canopy effect that filters natural light like foliage in sunlight. Gaudí used mathematical principles like the golden ratio and hyperbolic paraboloids (resembling a horse’s saddle). The structures are shaped with flowing, organic forms. The towers’ heights follow a musical scale with harmonic proportions, often referred to as a stone symphony.
What Most Tourists See: Secret Details on the Facades
The Sagrada Família has three main facades: Nativity, Passion, and Glory. Each of the facades tells a part of Christ’s story. The Nativity facade celebrates the birth of Christ, ornamentally boasting animals, plants, and the joy of life. The Passion facade is minimalist. With its sharp, serious angles, the sculptures depict Christ’s suffering and sacrifice. THN Travel Tip: Be sure to search for the cryptic magic square on the Passion facade. The sum of each of the square’s rows adds up to 33, the age of Christ at his death. The Glory facade is still being built. Of all three, it is the most monumental, with stories written in stone.
Surprising Facts Inside the Basilica
Beyond the basilica’s majestic exterior, the Sagrada Família interior was created to feel like a natural forest, bringing a sense of peace and wonder to every visitor. The ceiling features a honeycomb pattern. Stained glass is strategically placed to cast dancing shadows and light play throughout the basilica with the sun’s movement. A spiral staircase seemingly leads nowhere, a symbol of the divine and infinite. Gaudí’s tomb can be found in the crypt. Every element inside the basilica represents Gaudí’s vision, Barcelona’s resilience, and a sense of mystery.
When completed, the Sagrada Família will be the tallest church in the world.
