The Sagrada Família is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1882 and remains unfinished in the early 21st century. The basilica is renowned for its distinctive organic form and stands out in Barcelona with its striking flying buttresses and twisted towers.
Originally conceived by Francisco de Paula del Villar and funded by donations to promote Christianity in a secularizing Barcelona, Gaudí later took over as chief architect in 1883. His innovative approach transformed the original Neo-Gothic design into a self-supporting structure rich in symbolic elements reflecting Christian mysteries.
Gaudí's intricate design, destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, envisioned a vast space accommodating around 13,000 individuals. The basilica features three facades: the Nativity facade celebrating Jesus' birth, the Passion facade depicting his Crucifixion, and the Glory facade symbolizing divine celebration by humans. The towering structure includes 18 spindle-shaped towers representing biblical figures, with the central tower to signify Jesus being the tallest. The facades also incorporate bell towers representing the Apostles, with other figures replacing St. John, St. Matthew, and Judas.
Despite Gaudí's death in 1926, work on the Sagrada Família continued, overseen by his disciple Domènec Sugranyes. Since then, various parts of the basilica have been completed, including the Passion facade and the central nave vaulting. Modern adaptations based on surviving materials and reconstructed designs have been integrated, although some aspects have faced criticism. Recent developments include the completion of the tower of the Virgin Mary and the towers representing the evangelists St. Mark and St. Luke.
Construction is ongoing, with plans to finish the remaining towers and complete the structure by 2026, marking the centennial of Gaudí's passing and making it the world's tallest church building
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