Constructed by architect Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Familia is a famous monument in Barcelona that has been under construction since 1882.
But did you know that regular church services were permitted to be held there in 2010 when Pope Benedict XVI designated it a minor basilica despite its unfinished state?
Nearly 4.7 million tourists come here to see its magnificence, but its beauty also conceals many intriguing secrets that could pique your curiosity.
In this article, we’ve compiled 10 incredible Sagrada Familia facts that nobody will ever tell you.
1. The Construction of Sagrada Familia is Yet to be Completed
You might be surprised to hear how long work on the Sagrada Familia has been ongoing.
Less than 25% of Gaudí’s work was finished when he died in 1926, while Gaudí started working on it in his thirties.
It is noteworthy that the project took until 2010 to reach halfway.
It is expected to be finished by 2026, or precisely a century after Gaudí’s death.
That means that it will have taken ten times longer to complete than the Great Pyramids, 123 years longer than the Taj Mahal, and 50 years longer than the Great Wall of China.
2. The Current Design is not the Initial Design of the Cathedral
Were you aware that Sagrada Familia resembled a typical Gothic revival church?
Inspired by his visit to the Vatican, Josep Maria Bocabella aimed to imitate the magnificent Italian churches in Spain.
The initial construction, directed by architect Francisco Paula del Villar, began in 1882 and was paid for by private donations.
However, a year after he left, Antoni Gaudí gained control and changed the design to become the singular, breathtaking work of art it is today.
3. Coming Soon: The World’s Tallest Church
Were you aware that when Sagrada Familia is completed, it will be the tallest church globally?
Its impressive height of 172 meters will make it taller than Ulm Minster.
It doesn’t end there; Gaudí’s vision also features eighteen spires representing Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Evangelists, and the Apostles.
It will be immensely beautiful to look up at those finished spires!
4. Sagrada Familia is Designed to Symbolize Christ’s Life
It’s worth noting that the design of Sagrada Familia represents the life of Christ.
There’s more to those facades than just our admiration.
Christ’s journey is represented by Gaudí’s very symbolic architecture.
The three main entrances, for instance, stand for Faith, Hope, and Love; the Passion Facade represents His agony, while the Nativity Facade portrays His birth.
Furthermore, if you examine attentively, the Passion Facade’s doors depict the Passion of Jesus in several other languages, adding even more significance.
6. Its Design is Inspired by Nature
Beyond merely a basilica, Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia is an innovative masterwork.
Gaudí’s use of tree-like columns, a new idea at the time, was a brilliant stroke of genius.
These columns signify the link between heaven and earth and support the building’s lofty heights.
Gaudí created a design that broke convention through painstaking study and inventive thinking, leaving a legacy of architectural genius for future generations to admire.
7. There are Hidden Faces in Sagrada Familia
You may be surprised to learn that the faces of the workers who carved their way through the night and day to create this magnificent building are preserved forever.
Their memory will always be intertwined with the great beauty of Sagrada Familia, which is an example of their unmatched skill and dedication.
This alluring feature gives the famous basilica a human touch and depth, allowing guests to enjoy its architectural wonders and the tales inscribed within its walls.
8. It is a Well-Planned and Modeled Architecture
The architect of the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí, envisioned every little element of the church’s design and carefully laid out models and drawings.
Not only did he finish there, but he also created a blueprint allowing other architects to carry on his job without difficulty, even after his death.
Gaudí cleverly permitted the gradual integration of several architectural styles by dividing the building into phases, ensuring that each era’s contribution enhanced the church’s breathtaking design.
His vision and brilliance are evident in how he transformed Sagrada Familia into the architectural marvel that it is today.
9. Elevators that Fit Inside its Narrow Towers
Elevators are an unexpected feature hidden deep within Sagrada Familia’s narrow towers.
Though not quite as magical as Willy Wonka’s inventions, these elevators provide guests with a singular experience as they go from the basilica’s lowest to its highest heights.
You have to navigate through stairs and little walkways to get from them, which makes the journey more exciting.
Those who venture up will be rewarded with magnificent views of Barcelona from the towers.
It’s evidence of Antoni Gaudí’s creative design, which combines architecture marvel with functionality.
10. Each Tower Recites a Story
Beyond its imposing exterior, Sagrada Familia is an architectural wonder, with each of its 12 spires meticulously planned to represent one of Jesus Christ’s apostles.
Not just decorative, these towers are intelligently grouped into four sections, four flanking each facade and four standing in uniform majesty to represent the Evangelists.
The center tower, a tribute to Lord Jesus, rises above them all and is 560 feet tall, making it the tallest church in Europe.
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Bonus Fact: A single player will have control over multiple organs.
The magical atmosphere of the Sagrada Familia is enhanced by the presence of multiple magnificent organs rather than simply one.
Imagine yourself entering the basilica and being surrounded by the heavenly reverberation of 1492 pipes, all reverberating throughout the vast area.
A network of extra organs with a whooping 8000 pipes will soon adorn the church’s interior, fulfilling the architectural marvel’s need for more.
The best part is that only one organist can expertly use these magnificent instruments and effortlessly masterfully orchestrate a symphony of heavenly proportions.
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