Barcelona Tours and Activities: The Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona’s most well-known, if not the most famous of all our iconic tourist attractions. In fact, calling it a tourist attraction doesn’t really cover it. It is a wonderous piece of art, architecture, a slice of the city’s history and a story of dedication, all rolled into one.
So, what is all the fuss about? Well, when you travel to Barcelona, we thoroughly recommend that you take a look for yourself. Don’t miss a tour of the church! Whether you are visiting as an individual traveller to the city, or coming as part of a group event, or attending a corporate conference in Barcelona, it should definitely be on your agenda!
Brief History
Construction of the church began in 1882 – yes, that is a whopping 138 years ago! The project was the brainchild of Josep Maria Bocabella. He visited the basilica at Loreto during a trip to the Vatican in 1872. This ignited his inspiration to begin the church in Barcelona. The task of constructing it was first given to Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, but after several arguments, it was time for Anthony Gaudi to step in and take over.
Did you know?
So that the unfinished church could be used for religious services, in 2010 the main nave was covered, and an organ installed. Then on the 7th of November 2010, the Sagrada Familia was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI with a congregation of 6,500 people.
The original design of Barcelona’s Anthony Gaudí’s included eighteen spires. These represent, in ascending order of height, the Twelve Apostles, The Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and the tallest to depict Jesus Christ.
How will it look when it’s finished? The final design of the church will have a spire representing Jesus Christ which will reach a height of 172.5 meters (566 ft), this will make the Sagrada Familia the tallest church in Europe.
Built for the hard-working construction team of the church, a school used to form part of the site.
The Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It earnt this status in 1984.
There is an end date in sight for its completion which is 2026 and will mark 100 years since the death of its designer Anthony Gaudi.
What happened to Gaudi? Well, it’s an interesting story. Gaudi was hit by a tram and met an untimely death in 1926. Due to his unkempt appearance, he was mistaken for a tramp and not given adequate medical care.
Gaudi’s tomb is within the Sagrada Familia so you can pay your respects during your visit to the church.
Why visit?
We would ask why would you not visit the Sagrada Familia during your trip to Barcelona? The church is full of interesting symbolism and intricate details that can only really be fully appreciated up close. Photos do not do it justice. You will not be disappointed by the magnitude of this unique building.
How do I book?
A visit to the Sagrada Familia is high on everyone’s list so to avoid those huge queues we do recommend booking in advance.
If you would like to book an individual visit to the church this can be carried out directly online.
Book Here
Alternatively, for group tours or a tour of Barcelona then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
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