People have been enthralled with Barcelona’s majestic Sagrada Familia church for years.
Its story takes many unexpected turns that showcase determination and passion.
Discovering its past will reveal a story of vision, persistence, and the eternal spirit of invention.
In this article, we will learn Sagrada Familia’s history in depth to understand this attraction’s magnificence and why it’s so popular amongst tourists.
Birth of the Idea
Bookseller Josep Maria Bocabella first had a dream in 1866 about a large church honoring the Holy Family.
This dream marked the beginning of the history of Sagrada Familia.
To raise funds for the project, he established a religious organization. Francisco de Paula del Villar, an architect, was hired to create the neo-Gothic design.
The cornerstone was laid in 1882, marking the start of construction and the start of an enormous architectural project.
Early Days (1882-1883)
Francisco de Paula del Villar envisioned Sagrada Familia in 1882, reflecting the era’s promoted architectural style.
Sagrada Familia was planned to be a great Neo-Gothic church with towering spires and elaborate stained glass windows.
Unfortunately, Villar left the project in 1883, making room for Antoni Gaudí, a youthful and creative architect, to take over.
Compared to Antoni Gaudí’s later masterwork, Viller’s design was more conventional and simpler despite its elegance.
He started with pointed arches and elaborate stonework that echoed medieval cathedrals, evidently influenced by Neo-Gothic styles.
It was through his love of organic shapes and nature that Gaudí’s unique touch eventually came to light.
He took up the project from Viller and spent the next 43 years giving it his complete attention, entirely changing its design into the famous work of art that it is today.
Major Milestones Achieved During Gaudí’s Era (1883-1926)
Antoni Gaudí, the famous Catalan architect, lived a long and productive life. But the period between 1883 and 1926 was truly his golden age.
He achieved some of the major milestones during this era that made the church as magnificent as it is today.
- Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (1900-1910): This decade saw Gaudí’s artistic talent fully blossom.
He renovated Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, two structures on Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia.
These colorful buildings, with their quirky details and flowing facades, symbolized his modernist concepts. - Park Güell (1900-1914): Gaudí had the opportunity to let his imagination run wild in this huge public park.
He created every garden element, including the grottoes, fountains, and stairways.
Showcasing Gaudí’s skill in fusing architectural characteristics with natural aspects, Park Güell became a landmark in Barcelona. - Sagrada Familia’s Glory Facade (1925): The Nativity Facade of the Sagrada Familia was completed under Gaudí’s supervision in the final year of this phase.
This extraordinarily intricate facade, which shows the birth of Jesus, came to represent hope and Gaudí’s lasting influence.
Gaudi’s Death (1926)
Tragically, Sagrada Familia’s visionary creator, Antoni Gaudí, died in 1926 after being hit by a tram while en route to prayer.
Building on the basilica started in 1882 and proceeded slowly even after his death.
Only a portion, including the famous facade and a few inner components, were finished by that point.
The church is still unfinished, but Gaudí’s careful planning allowed his successors to continue his work.
Building on the Legacy (1926-Present)
The Sagrada Familia was never left unfinished after Antoni Gaudí’s death in 1926.
Gaudí’s sketches, models, and designs continued to be used as a guide by architects.
However, some were merely conceptions rather than precise blueprints, leaving room for interpretation.
The primary difficulty was comprehending Gaudí’s distinctive, organic architectural style, which deviated significantly from the conventions of his era.
This necessitated using contemporary tools like computers and 3D modeling to visualize and guarantee structural integrity.
Even now, parts of the project are still under construction.
Half of them, like the Nativity Facade, are finished and demonstrate Gaudí’s genius.
Other portions, like the Glory Facade, continually form based on interpretations and demonstrate commitment and creativity in completing the project piece by piece.
Modern Milestones (2000-Present)
Even though it has a lengthy history, significant developments have been achieved recently that will eventually bring it to completion.
Here are a few notable achievements since 2000:
- 2000: The central vault of the nave is completed, marking a major structural milestone.
- 2010: Pope Benedict XVI consecrates the Sagrada Familia, officially making it a minor basilica and opening it for religious worship.
- 2012: The Facade of the Glory is inaugurated, depicting Jesus’s second coming. Construction on this facade began in the 19th century.
- 2018: The crowning moment (pun intended!) arrives with the placement of the cross atop the central tower. This significantly alters the basilica’s skyline.
- 2021: Construction focuses on the Virgin Mary’s tower, and it’s proudly inaugurated!
Work on the taller Jesus Christ tower continues.
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A Look Towards the Future
About 140 years have passed since work on the magnificent Sagrada Familia began.
Recent reports state that the Sagrada Familia’s main structure should be completed by 2026, on Gaudí’s 100th birthday.
The exterior will be almost finished, showcasing the elaborate features and purpose that architect Antoni Gaudí intended.
However, some internal work will continue to be done beyond 2026.
Gaudí’s ambitious vision may take several more years to completely manifest due to the immense project of decorating the inside of the Sagrada Familia.
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Featured Image: Sagradafamilia.org