Sagrada Família
Sagrada Família full name The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família or Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family is a large unfinished Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí in the years between 1852 and 1926 . The architect’s work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica, as distinct from a cathedral, which must be the seat of a bishop.
Sagrada Família History
Sagrada Família was inspired by a Spaniard named Josep Maria Bocabella, in the 19th century. Josep had at the time founded a religious organization called the Spiritual Association of Devotees of Saint Joseph, which was campaigning to have a new church erected in Barcelona dedicated to the Holy Family.
The association eventually raised enough money to purchase some land and hire an architect named Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano. The architect’s original plan was to build a Neo-Gothic church, which was a very popular style in the 19th century, whose buildings were based on the magnificent Gothic churches of middle aged Europe, characterized by their high levels of decoration and towering spires. In 1882, the first stone of the new church was laid , but Paula resigned soon after. The construction of the Sagrada Familia then fell to another architect: Antoni Gaudí, in 1883.
The new architect immediately began changing the design of the church. Despite being committed to the generally Gothic style, he also felt that this was naturally limited. Gothic’s Medieval structures relied on large support structures called buttresses, and Gaudí did not want to imitate this. He felt that God’s house should be free of bulky supports, yet limitless in its height and grandeur. Guadí turned to nature, to resolve this problem, seeking inspiration in what he saw as God’s architecture.
At the time of his death in 1926, the basilica was between 15 and 25 percent complete. Construction work continued after Gaudí’s death, under the direction of Domènec Sugrañes i Gras until interrupted by the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
Unfortunately parts of the unfinished basilica and Gaudí’s models and workshop were destroyed during the war by Catalan anarchists. The current design is based on reconstructed versions of the plans that were burned in a fire as well as on modern adaptations. The architects Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluís Bonet i Gari and Francesc Cardoner carried forward the work, from 1940 . Carles Buïgas designed tThe illumination . The current director who happens to be the son of Lluís Bonet, Jordi Bonet i Armengol, has been introducing computers into the design and construction process since the 1980s. The Executive Architect and Researcher post is held by Mark Burry of New Zealand . The fantastical façades is decorated by Sculptures by J. Busquets, Etsuro Sotoo and the controversial Josep Maria Subirachs . Barcelona-born Jordi Fauli is currently the chief architect since 2012.
The chapel shares its site with the Sagrada Família Schools building, a school originally designed by Gaudí in 1909 for the children of the construction workers. Having relocated in 2002 from the eastern corner of the site to the southern corner, the building now houses an exhibition. The building is expected to be completed by 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death. It was his wish that his city would be remembered for such an astonishing building.
The Sagrada Familia is a five-naved basilica with the central nave rising above the others significantly. A door is assigned to each nave to the unfinished glory facade. There are also two side portals that lead to the penance chapel and baptistery. The altar, is behind the nave, in the apse, in the light of the many windows of the apse.
Sagrada Família PhotoSagrada Família Interior
The columns of the interior are a unique design of the late Gaudí . Their ever-changing surfaces are the result of the intersection of various geometric forms, besides branching to support their load . This effect is the result of a three-dimensional intersection of helicoidal columns .
Essentially none of the interior surfaces are flat; the ornamentation is comprehensive and rich, consisting in large part of abstract shapes which combine smooth curves and jagged points. Even detail-level work such as the iron railings for balconies and stairways are full of curvaceous elaboration.
The completion of the interior and consecration was a great moment for Barcelona. Now, finally, the imposing, yet ingenious design of the brilliant Antoni Gaudí could be admired. And all this without scaffolding and machinery noise.
The layout of the church is also full of symbols, in the same way that the façades carry a rich symbology. Every door, column, and almost every area has its own concrete or symbolic significance. This symbolism refers to the individual Catalan dioceses and Spanish dioceses, to every church in Latin America, on each of the five continents, to the apostles, to the great religious founders and most revered saints, the theological virtues, the sacraments, and more.
Sagrada Família Facts
1. It’s Been Under Construction for Over a Century : Construction of the church project began in 1882 and at the time of death of Gaudí in 1926, only a quarter of the basilica was completed. Although Gaudí made sure to spend his last few years dedicated to the project, it was clear that it wouldn’t be finished during his lifetime. This year, it’s believed to have entered its final stage of construction, with 2026 as its estimated completion date.
2. The Structure Has Taken Longer To Build Than You Think
150 years is certainly a long time to build something, but think about this: when La Sagrada Familia is completed, it will have taken longer to build than the Egyptian Pyramids, and only 50 years less than the Great Wall of China. That’s pretty amazing.
3. There Used to be a School Here
Gaudí built a school on the site called the Sagrada Familia Schools building, during the early days of La Sagrada Familia’s construction . The school was meant for the children of construction workers to attend while their fathers spent their days and nights building one of the most magnificent structures in all of Europe. The school, designed in 1909, is now the site of an exhibition on the Sagrada Familia. Gaudí seems to have been a very thoughtful man.
4. Without Computers, We Could Have Been Waiting a Lot Longer
There were no computers or digital animation to rely on for the project back in the 1880s when the construction began. In the past, architects had to rely on paper sketches to correctly put together this massive structure. But thanks to the invention of computers in the mid-20th century, the progress sped up rapidly.
5. La Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Despite being not completed, La Sagrada Familia was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Because of its unique architecture and Gaudí’s ability to create something so innovative and artistic, the building received the designation mostly. Although this is not a surprise, La Sagrada Familia is one of seven buildings by Gaudí that fall under this category.
6. It’s No Longer a Cathedral
La Sagrada Familia, was understood to be a simple Roman Catholic church, when construction first began on . Later on, it was designated as a cathedral, and then in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI declared it a basilica. For those who might not be familiar with the distinction, a cathedral is the seat of a bishop, so it turned out to be a great honor for the building.
7. Each of the 18 Towers is Significant
When La Sagrada Familia is completed, it will have 18 towers. 12 of the towers will represent the apostles, four of them will represent the evangelists, one will be designated for the Virgin Mary, and of course the last one, the highest one in the middle, will represent Jesus Christ. However, right now there are only eight towers.
8. Gaudí is Buried There
La Sagrada Familia is home to the tomb of Antoni Gaudí, who was unfortunately killed a few days after being hit by a tram. Located in the underground level of the building, visitors can come see the tomb for themselves. The tomb is surrounded by four chapels, each dedicated to a different figure. Gaudí’s tomb is held in the chapel dedicated to the El Carmen Virgin.
9. People Have Tried to Take It Down
In 1936, in the midst of the Spanish Civil War, a group of anarchists broke into the Sagrada Familia and set fire to the crypt. Though many important materials involving the construction were lost, a few were saved. During this period in history, the entire construction of the building was extremely slow, due to obvious reasons.
10. It has Controversial Facades
There are three facades at La Sagrada Familia, and the Nativity Facade was completed by Gaudí himself. The Passion Facade and the Glory Facade were built much later, and when the sculptures of Christ on the crucifix were added to the Passion Facade by Josep Maria Subirachs, many people argued that they were too abstract and took away from Gaudí’s style and vision as an artist and architect.
11. Nature Greatly Influenced the Design
Although most cathedrals or religious establishments have straight structures, Gaudí felt that things should be built to resemble nature. Gaudí would hang a weighted string from the ceiling to see how natural arches would form, and designed La Sagrada Familia’s interior based on what he saw.
12. Its Height is Remarkable
When La Sagrada Familia is completed, it will be tallest religious building in all of Europe. The central tower in the middle will reach 170 meters tall. Despite having a powerful height, Gaudí believed that nothing man-made should ever be higher than God’s work. It is no coincidence that the ultimate height will be one meter less than Montjuïc, the mountain in Barcelona, which is also the city’s highest point.
13. There Are Elevators Inside
Okay, so the fact that there are elevators inside isn’t that amazing, but when you look at how thin the towers are, you might wonder how that works. Even though they aren’t magic glass elevators that Willy Wonka created, they do allow visitors to see the lowest and highest parts of the structure. Of course, once you get out of the elevators, you’ll have to navigate through skinny walkways and stairs to get to the towers, where you can see gorgeous views of the city.
14. The Intricate Symbolism
There are tons of symbolism in each part of Gaudí’s structure. Other than the religious symbols, there are two you should look out for. First, the interior pillars actually resemble trees, and when you look up at them their shapes constantly change, as real trees appear to do. There is also a tortoise and turtle holding up these pillars, representing both the earth and the sea.
Sagrada Familia Tickets
To buy tickets to the Sagrada Família click here.
Sagrada Família Towers
Among the 18 towers Gaudí planned for the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia there are presently eight completed; four on the Nativity facade and four on the Passion facade. Tickets for visiting the towers are not included in the basic entry price. They can be purchased online as part of the combination ticket “Top views”.
The facades on the building are not joined, and consequently have separate access points. The top of the towers can only be accessed by lift, one on each facade. You can choose to go up either the tower on the Nativity facade with views over the east of Barcelona, or the tower on the Passion facade facing the city centre. Visitors must take the stairs down from the towers, both on the Passion façade and the Nativity façade.
For safety reasons, children younger than 6 cannot go up the towers and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For safety reasons, people with reduced mobility and those whose ability to move around or interact with their surroundings autonomously and safely is limited by any sort of visual impairment may not visit the towers. The lifts in the towers will be closed in adverse weather conditions including strong winds and/or rain.
Sagrada Família Symbolism
Themes throughout the decoration include words from the liturgy. The towers are decorated with words such as “Hosanna”, “Excelsis”, and “Sanctus”; the great doors of the Passion façade reproduce excerpts of the Passion of Jesus from the New Testament in various languages, mainly Catalan; and the Glory façade is to be decorated with the words from the Apostles’ Creed, while its main door reproduce the entire Lord’s Prayer in Catalan, surrounded by multiple variations of “Give us this day our daily bread” in other languages.
The three entrances symbolize the three virtues: Faith, Hope and Love. Each of them is also dedicated to a part of Christ’s life. The Nativity Façade is dedicated to his birth; it also has a cypress tree which symbolizes the tree of life. The Glory façade is dedicated to his glory period. The Passion façade is symbolic of his suffering. The apse tower bears Latin text of Hail Mary. All in all, the Sagrada Família is symbolic of the lifetime of Christ.
Areas of the sanctuary will be designated to represent various concepts, such as saints, virtues and sins, and secular concepts such as regions, presumably with decoration to match.
Sagrada Família News
Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia: the Barcelona cathedral without a building permit
Updated On: 23rd September 2018
Source: elpais.com
Under construction for 136 years so far, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is not overseen by any authority to ensure that construction complies with building norms
Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí’s famous Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona has been under construction for 136 years without any oversight from either the local council or the Catalan regional government.
What’s more, work on the UNESCO World Heritage Site has sped up thanks to the €50 million brought in each year by the 4.5 million annual visitors – an average of 12,000 people a day. The number of tourists to the Roman Catholic church has skyrocketed since it was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
At this rate, the Sagrada Familia construction board plans to complete the church – which was left unfinished when Gaudí died in 1926 – by 2026 to mark the centenary of the architect’s death.
But despite the enormous impact of the project on the local neighborhood and Barcelona, the iconic building does not have a municipal construction permit. The only permission it has comes from 1882 when the Sant Martí de Provençals Town Hall told Gaudí to get the plan “processed.” But the architect did not do this. The cathedral is not even listed in the property registry. Since 1995, it has only appeared as an empty plot belonging to the diocese of Barcelona.
After more than a century of zero oversight, the construction board and Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau began negotiating in 2015 to regulate the building and license payments in a special urban plan, scheduled to be announced at the end of the year. Until then, work at the basilica continues unchecked.
The lack of oversight has allowed the tourist site to fail building norms. In 2007 for instance, it was discovered that eight columns were invading the sidewalk by between 20 and 50 centimeters in respect to the street. Despite this, City Hall took no action. The same problem is occurring now with the Assumpta chapel, which is invading Provença Street by 30 centimeters.
On Thursday, at a special visit to mark the Mercè fiestas (where 300,000 Barcelona residents are invited to visit the site for free), Esteve Camps, president of the construction board, said he was committed to completing Gaudí’s original design. This includes, according to the architect’s sketches, an enormous entranceway, one that would require the demolition of almost two blocks, the expropriation of businesses and around 150 homes, as well as a walkway above a street.
“As the heirs of Gaudí we will defend the conclusion of his project in the negotiation,” said Camps. “Some actions will have to be taken, but that’s not for us to do,” he added.
Colau, from the left-wing Barcelona en Comú party, has not taken a clear position on the plans, claiming only that she had been working “for two years to reach an agreement that will allow a construction permit for the basilica to be processed according to Antoni Gaudí’s project.”
Meanwhile, the Catalan regional government has said it will not intervene – even though the Sagrada Familia basilica was granted cultural heritage protection (BIC), meaning any changes made to the building must be overseen by the regional authority. The Catalan government, however, argues it does not have “the obligation to supervise the work because it does not affect the part created by Gaudí.”
Around 70% of the cathedral has been completed thanks to the surge in tourist visits. The Tower of Jesus Christ, the tallest of the planned 18 towers, is set to reach 172.5 meters in 2022, making it the tallest building in Barcelona. At the moment, the tower reaches 85.4 meters.
According to the construction board, “the 18 towers will be part of an extraordinary artistic body that will change depending on the point of view and invoke sensations of elevation and support around the central tower of Jesus Christ.”
There are, however, concerns that plans for the Sagrada Familia do not adhere to Gaudí’s original designs. The cathedral, for instance, will have seven doorways dedicated to the Christian sacraments that were never sketched by the renowned architect.
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