La Sagrada Familia Basilica, Barcelona
Photograph La Sagrada Familia Basilica.
Many more Spires were added after this photo was taken
Probably the most spectacular buildings ever constructed by Man & designed by the brilliant Spanish Architect Antonio Gaudi
Without doubt the Temple de la Sagrada Familia is the most readily identifiable building in Barcelona. Many people have seen photographs of the temple and think that it is Barcelona's cathedral, but this is not the case. Barcelona's cathedral is located in the Gothic quarter
Skip-the-Line Sagrada Familia and Park Guell Guided Tour
- The tour includes:
- Explore the majestic interior and exterior of the Sagrada Familia Basilica with an expert guide Dress Code required
- Sagrada Familia Musuem
- A tour of Park Güell,
- Walking tour of Passeig de Gràcia where you can admire Gaudi's most famous apartment buildings: Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera and the Casa Batlló. Visiting the inside is not included
More Information on this very popular tour Skip-the-Line Sagrada Familia and Park Guell Guided Tour
Location
The Temple Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia is surrounded by the following 4 roads:
C / De Provenca
C / De Sicilia
C / De Sardenya
C / De Marina
How to get there
Nearest 
Sagrada Familia 
7 16 17 22 24 28
Opening hours
October March 9am 6pm
April September 9am 8pm
Tower Ascent
You can ascend some of the towers, by either a lift or by walking up very narrow spiral staircases. A head for heights is required, note the stone bridges that join the towers together, if you go up one tower you come down another. If visiting in winter wear warm clothing, the wind blows a gale through the open window structure of the towers.
Young man in one of the small view platforms in the towers
Stone bridge between towers
Church Dress Code
The Sagrada Familia is a church, therefore show respect in how you dress. The general rule for catholic churches is:
- Knees and shoulders must be covered;
- No low cut, sleeveless tops
- No bare midriffs
- No short shorts. Safest is down to the knees. I have pushed my shorts futher down on my hips, ensuring my midriff is still covered with my shirt.
- No barefeet, sandals or flipflops
- The rules do not appear to be upheld at the Sagrada Familia, but better safe than sorry
- The rules are very much enforced at Barcelona Cathedrall in the old town.
Construction
Construction of this impressive temple started in 1882, and one year later Antonio Gaudi was appointed Project Director. He worked on the project until his death in 1926.
Construction is expected to continue to after 2026
At the time of these photographs The temple was only partially built. 8 of the 12 towers are are virtually finished. The 4 remaining towers will be built in C / Mallorca and will be the main entrance, when complete. The much larger, in both width and height, central tower is still to be built. Estimated year of completion: 2022 2230
It is well worth comparing the look of the 4 towers, statues and frontage on the C / De Marina side, built by Gaudi to those on the C / De Sardenya built under the newer architect. The flamboyance and the to some peoples minds the OTT (over the top) Gaudi design is changed to a more geometric design, note the square jaw angular look of the statues.
Some of the lighter colour statues on Gaudi side are designed by an oriental sculptor, who has a similar style to Gaudi, except for the statues eyes which are more oriental than western
Construction of this impressive temple started in 1882, and one year later Antonio Gaudi was appointed Project Director. He worked on the project until his death in 1926.
At the time of these photographs The temple was only partially built. 8 of the 12 towers are are virtually finished. The 4 remaining towers will be built in C / Mallorca and will be the main entrance, when complete. The much larger, in both width and height, central tower is still to be built. Estimated year of completion: 2022 2230.
It is well worth comparing the look of the 4 towers, statues and frontage on the C / De Marina side, built by Gaudi to those on the C / De Sardenya built under the newer architect. The flamboyance and the to some peoples minds the OTT (over the top) Gaudi design is changed to a more geometric design, note the square jaw angular look of the statues.
Some of the lighter colour statues on Gaudi side are designed by an oriental sculptor, who has a similar style to Gaudi, except for the statues eyes which are more oriental than western.
Close up of one of the towers
The temple is still under construction builders scaffolding
Close up of the intricate workmanship Photograph taken from one of the towers