Sagrada Familia is one of the largest basilicas in the world, covering 4,500 meters (48,388 square feet) and reaching 175 meters (566 feet).
Currently, only 8 out of the 18 planned towers are completed.
Once finished, Sagrada Familia can hold 13,000 guests.
It is common for first-time visitors to feel lost inside the basilica and wonder where to go and what to see.
If you are not part of a guided tour led by an expert, we recommend you carry a La Sagrada Familia map to ensure you do not miss anything.
It is highly recommended that you keep Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia map handy if you find it challenging to navigate the premises.
The map of Sagrada Familia helps you learn about the location of particular must-sees inside the attraction’s venue.
With the help of la Sagrada Familia’s map, you save time as you do not need to wander here and there location what you want to see.
A map also helps you learn about the structure and layout of the attraction, helping you plan better so you know in what order you want to explore it.
Sagrada Familia Entrances
The first thing to know about is the Sagrada Familia entrances. The attraction has three entrances: the General Entrance, the Group Entrance, and the School Visits Entrance.
On any Sagrada Familia map, you can easily spot the Nativity Facade on the attraction’s exterior.
The General and the Group Entrance are located on the left and right sides of the Nativity Facade, respectively.
The third entrance, the School Visits Entrance, is on the backside of the Basilica. This entrance is wheelchair accessible, making it ideal for visitors with disabilities.
Read more about the Sagrada Familia entrances here.
Structure and Layout of Sagrada Familia: Exterior
Visitors feel overwhelmed by this famous attraction’s unique and elaborate design and architecture, and we are sure you will be awestruck, too.
As you reach the Sagrada Familia, take a minute to admire and analyze the intricate details of this beautiful blend of Gothic, modern and baroque styles.
Let us learn more about what you see on the attraction’s exterior before discussing what’s on the inside.
Facades: Nativity, Passion and Glory
There are three main facades inside the attraction, each representing a milestone in the life of Jesus Christ.
The Nativity Facade is on the east side and is usually the first thing visitors see since it is close to the two major entrances of the Sagrada Familia.
The Nativity Facade is visible on the Sagrada Familia map. Playful angels and a tall Nativity door spot it.
The Passion Facade faces the setting sun as it is on the west side and can be spotted by the portrayal of Jesus’ suffering and his crucifixion.
The Glory Facade is Sagrada Familia’s main facade. It represents faith, hope and charity. It is the easiest to spot as it is still under construction.
A Forest of Towers
Next up is the gigantic Forest of Towers, featuring numerous sky-high spires, resembling a forest reaching for the sky.
Each spire in the Forest of Towers represents a unique meaning. For example, The Twelve Apostles represent Jesus’ 12 followers who spread his message and teachings.
The four spires of varied heights, with symbols of the Evangelists: a winged figure (Matthew), a lion (Mark), an ox (Luke), and an eagle (John), represent the Four Evangelists.
The highest tower, capped with a cross, represents Jesus Christ, while the one taller than the Apostles’ tower, capped with a star, represents Mary and her significance.
Structure and Layout of the Sagrada Familia: Interior
Navigating the interiors of the attraction might be difficult as most Sagrada Familia maps fail to give a detailed layout of what’s on the inside.
Here is a detailed description of the Sagrada Familia’s interior layout to help you comfortably explore all the must-sees.
You will notice the central nave and tree-like columns that offer a forest-like appearance.
Here are the other things that you shall see inside the Sagrada Familia.
The Museum
The Museum is on the Church’s ground floor, and visitors can access it right after entering through the general entrance.
Navigating the museum is pretty easy, and you do not need a Sagrada Familia map, as there are no confusing pathways.
The Five Naves
As you proceed through the interiors, you will notice the five naves.
Sagrada Familia has five naves. The tallest and widest nave measures 45 meters in height and 15 meters in width and is known as the Main Nave.
The other four naves run parallel to the Main Nave and measure 30 meters in height and 7.5 meters in width.
The Apse
Seven chapels in the Apse serve religious purposes as they are used for prayers and reflection.
The Great Altar is the chapel behind the altar at the eastern end of the central nave. The bright lights from the stained-glass windows showcase events from Jesus’ Passion and Ressurection.
The Crypt
One of the major hidden gems at the Basilica is the crypt where Gaudi’s remains lie.
The crypt of Sagrada Familia is under the church.
The Stairways
One of Sagrada Familia’s major highlights is the accessible towers, which are accessible with a valid ticket. Two stairways help ascend the towers: the Nativity Facade Staircase and the Passion Facade Stairways.
An elevator facility is available to help visitors ascend the towers, and the stairways must be used to descend.
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FAQs
1. Should I carry a Sagrada Familia map when I visit the attraction?
Having a sagrada Familia map handy during your visit is recommended to navigate the attraction easily.
2. Can I get the Google Map la Sagrada Familia’s link to drive to the attraction?
Having the Google Map link for Sagrada Familia can help you drive to the attraction more easily. You can get the link from here.
Choose the “Your Location” option as your starting point and follow the driving instructions.
3. What is the layout of Sagrada Familia?
The Sagrada Familia features a Latin-cross layout, and its interiors feature huge tree-like columns that give it a forest-like appearance.
4. Can I navigate the Basilica without the Sagrada Familia map?
Navigating without a Sagrada Familia map is possible, but you might miss out on a few things to see or waste time figuring out how to go about it.
Having a map handy gives you a brief idea of what is where and makes it easier to explore the attraction.
5. In what order should I explore the Sagrada Familia?
There is no particular order in which you should explore the Sagrada Familia.
However, people usually explore the exteriors first and then head inside to explore the interiors, including the crypt, followed by a visit to the Museum.
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