Like nothing else: The Sagrada Família basilica

The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia — a still in-progress expiatory temple — ranks as the No. 1 attraction on a list of more than 1,300 in Barcelona. And when visiting, it's easy to see why.

It's the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world.

Ryan and I have independently and together toured a church or two during our travels, including St. Peter’s Basilica. But in most cases, those churches were built centuries ago and share a lot of the same architectural elements. 

It's still a work in progress.

 

Whereas the Sagrada Familia began construction in 1882 and is still being built more than 140 years later, as immortalized in a 2019 Time magazine cover article. The current estimates are for the steeples and most of the church's structure to be completed by 2026, but it might take until 2032 to get all of the decorative elements in place. 

The decorative elements, like this giant fruit salad collection three-quarters of the way up, are incredibly detailed.

A few things that stuck out to us about the Sagrada Familia (many learned through the audioguide):

• The inside supportive pillars were designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi to mimic trees and branches. They are like nothing we’ve seen.

  

  They weren't just supports — they were art.
  

  
  

• The stained glass windows use color combinations to tap into the best light. The windows that get the eastern morning light feature shades of blue and cooler colors, while those that are face west feature warmer colors. The windows were designed by artist Jovian Vila-Grau. 

  

  The stained glass on every side was incredible.
  

  
  

• The ornate nature of the outside of the temple. Each of the facades tells a story about Jesus’ life: his birth, his death, and his glory or everlasting life. In all, the basilica will have 18 towers (11 are completed to date). 

  

  The ornate sculptures on either side have distinctly different styles. The Nativity side with scenes representing Jesus' birth is carved in a detailed, realistic style, while the Sagrada Familia's Passion side depicts key moments leading up to Jesus' crucifixion in a more linear, brutalist style. The sculpture to the right shows Jesus embracing St. Peter after denied him three times. Behind them is the "magic square" in which every row and column adds up to 33 — Jesus' age at the time of his crucifixion. 
  

  
  

• Every design decision has a story and a purpose. For example, the tallest tower will be 172.5 meters, which is slightly shorter than the nearby mountain of Montjuic. Gaudi was quoted as saying that he made this decision because the work of man should never surpass that of God. Another example is that 50 lamps illuminate the suspended baldachin above the altar. That number commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles 50 days after Christ’s resurrection. Gaudi took attention to detail and purpose to a whole other level. It seemed a little exhausting to think that much about every single decision.
  

  

  It is huge.
  

  
  

• The emphasis on collaboration. Gaudi knew he wouldn’t live to finish the basilica and that others would complete the construction for him. He left detailed instructions for the artists and builders who would follow him, to ensure the final product matched his unique vision. Gaudi died in 1926 (hence why they are trying to finish the project by 2026), and his successors have clearly managed to carry on his work. 

  

  Also, the Sagrada Familia offers great views of Barcelona.
  

   

  DISCLAIMER: The photos don't do justice to the basilica, its art, its structure or the views it offers. You really have to see it yourself to fully appreciate it.