The spiral staircase to the tower | Unsplash: Mark de JongIs he allowed to do that?
In 2016, it was discovered that Gaudí started the construction of the church without permission. Only after several years of construction did he apply for a permit, which was never answered. Barcelona's city administration only granted permission for the construction in 2019.
The famous ongoing construction site | Unsplash: Konrad DaboszThe longest construction site in the world?
With 144 years of construction, the Sagrada Família is probably the most famous ongoing construction site in the world. However, there are projects that compete with the famous basilica in terms of construction time. For example, the Cologne Cathedral, which was only consecrated after more than 632 years.Was the staircase ever part of it?
There are mixed opinions about the staircase. Esteve Camps, the president of the ‘Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família Foundation’, claims that the staircase has always been part of Gaudí's vision, while some researchers dispute this view. According to Camps, the foundation is negotiating with the city's mayor, Jaume Collboni, about the future course of action regarding the staircase.The crypt burns
In addition to the enormous challenges during its construction, the Sagrada Família was also once subjected to an arson attack during the Spanish Civil War, which partially destroyed Gaudí's original plans and plaster models. The reconstruction of the master model took 16 years, before the project could continue. When visiting and photographing the iconic towers, you should think of those who saved these designs at the risk of their own lives.The Sagrada Família dethrones other churches
The Sagrada Família is not just a cathedral, but it also marked the beginning of a new era. With a height of 172m (564.3ft), Gaudí's masterpiece will surpass the Ulmer Münster, previously the tallest church building in the world. The construction to date and the plans for the eighteen towers, which will represent the Apostles, the Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus, are quite literally a major project.Francisco de Paula del Villar - Who?
Antoni Gaudí is inseparably linked with the Sagrada Família, as he almost exclusively dedicated himself to his Magnum Opus. Initially, the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar planned a rather conservative neo-Gothic church in 1882. After his resignation the following year, Gaudí took over the project and steered it in a radically new direction with his unique geometric vision, inspired by nature.Handwork in 1882 - computer technology today
The prolonged construction of the Sagrada Família was a result of the handwork applied in the 20th century in carving the colossal stone sculptures. Nowadays, modern technology accelerates the process by using computer-aided design and CNC milling machines for stone processing off-site. The upcoming creation of additional towers, each representing an important biblical figure, represents a new technological challenge, nonetheless.The life of Christ - Gaudí's architecture full of symbolism
The Sagrada Família represents the life of Christ. The three large entrances symbolize faith, love, and hope. The Nativity facade is dedicated to the birth of Christ, and the Passion facade to his suffering. The doors of the Passion facade depict the Passion of Jesus in various languages.One organist for 1,492 organ pipes
Although the Sagrada Família is not a concert hall, a performance in the nave is still an unforgettable experience. With 1,492 pipes, the sound of the organs is phenomenal. The thing that makes it special is that due to acoustic challenges, several organs are needed to play the entire basilica. That's why several organs are operated simultaneously by only one organist.Knowledge for the next generation
At the beginning of the construction of the Sagrada Família, Gaudí had the Sagrada Família school building constructed. This school was intended for the children of the construction workers who worked day and night on the construction of the building. The school building was completed in 1909 and houses an exhibition about the Sagrada Família today.What do the turtles in the Sagrada Família mean?
In the Sagrada Família, symbols can be found in every detail. While religious symbols are of course dominant, there are others to look out for: The columns inside are sculpted naturally like real trees, especially noticeable when you look upwards. Their shapes change, similar to trees, and they are supported by turtles, which are symbols of the sea and the earth.