Sagrada Familia is the main temple of Barcelona.

The Sagrada Familia is the visiting card of Barcelona and all of Spain.

An architectural masterpiece that amazes at first sight and fascinates forever.

The Sagrada Familia Cathedral is the creation of the great Gaudi.

In this majestic structure one can discern a grandiose figure made of sea sand. Tall towers, like stalagmites of an invisible cave.

Among ordinary buildings, houses with red roofs and typical buildings, this giant seems somehow unreal.

Temple of the Sagrada Familia.

Who built the cathedral: the strange and unique genius Antonio Gaudi

The history of the creation of the temple begins in 1882, it was at this time that construction began - the first stone was laid as the basis of the basilica.

The founder of the project was the architect Francisco de Villar. He had a fairly typical idea of ​​what a temple should be like - in the neo-Gothic style and the spirit of church architecture.

But, by a happy accident for Barcelona and the whole world, after some time the talented and unpredictable, reckless and brilliant Antonio Gaudi was appointed as the chief architect of the construction of the church.

Counting Gothic style"dead", the author completely redid the project.

The cathedral had to rush into the heavens with its entire essence, but do it gracefully and easily.

Gaudi made the internal columns spiral, and the thousands of windows along the 170-meter high main towers were supposed to “shine like stars,” the architect said.

Sketches of what he did not manage to bring to life are still kept.

The model of the chandelier that was supposed to decorate the cathedral has only now been reproduced using computer graphics and 3D modeling.

It is interesting that even in the midst of construction, Gaudi sometimes did not have clear sketches and designs of what he wanted to see in stone. Fantasy came up with ideas faster than they could be put on paper.

Today, in the Sagrada Familia there is a museum that houses sketches, drawings, drawings, diagrams and, not always clear, other ideas of the strange architect.

Fanatically devoted to his work, Gaudi spent 43 years building the cathedral; he literally lived his creation.

Interesting Facts :

Settling in a small outbuilding, he worked day and night.

On the street he was often mistaken for a beggar tramp, because he did not take care of his clothes and appearance.

Gaudi was only important to his brainchild - the cathedral, the construction of which he considered the main purpose of life.

Redemption Temple: "The Bible in Stone"

According to Gaudi, the height of the cathedral should have been 170 meters, no less, no more.

After all, the creation of human hands cannot be higher than the creation of God -.

At the heart of the Sagrada Familia is a cross. But this, it would seem, is where the religious theme ends.

The entire cathedral, every detail of it, is the embodiment of the architect’s extraordinary ideas.Therefore, the interior decoration is very unlike a church in the traditional sense:

• ornate columns, like trees, support the pointed shape of the domes;
• the ceiling is a whimsical dance of patterned designs.

The Sagrada Familia complex in the project includes 18 towers:

• 12 symbolize the holy apostles;
• 4 – evangelists;
• the peak one is Jesus Christ.

There are three facades at the Sagrada Familia temple:

1. "Christmas".
2. "The Passion of Christ".
3. "Resurrection".

These are the milestones of the earthly life of Jesus Christ.

The façade and interior are decorated with intricate carvings and plaster sculptures.

This stunningly delicate work serves the sole purpose of conveying Catholic symbolism to everyone who turns their gaze to the monument.

Temple bell symphony

The architect paid special attention to the ringing of the bells. He thoroughly thought through all the subtleties of the structure he created, including acoustics, which was of particular importance.

It’s hard to imagine, but the bells in the 170-meter cathedral were supposed to be driven by the wind!

Gaudi, being for many, “not of this world,” did not pay attention to the opinions and views of others.

In his dreams, he saw a completed, beautiful cathedral, towering over Barcelona, ​​with its pointed arches, soaring upward towards the Creator.

How to get there

The building is located at: Carrer de Mallorca, 401.

The main entrance is located from the Carrer de la Marina opposite the Nativity façade.

You can get there in three ways:

• metro (Sagrada Familia station - L2 and L5);
• by buses No. 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20 and B24 (stop “Sagrada Familia”);
• tourist bus (stop “Sagrada Familia”).

Note to tourists

The cost of visiting the greatest creation of the 20th century in Barcelona - the Sagrada Familia - is 15-29 euros.

It is best to find out the exact price and buy an entrance ticket online, via the Internet on the official website, so as not to waste time in queues. Or use the services of the travel company presented below.

You should be aware that ticket sales stop 30 minutes before the complex's closing time.

Hours and operating hours by month:

If you really want to completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the great Gaudi, stay at one of the hotels of the same name - Sagrada Familia.

The eternal question: when will it be completed?

Services are held in the temple, however, it is still under construction.

Yes, this miracle of architecture has been achieving perfection for 130 years.

Gaudi built the cathedral with money donated by the townspeople.

When he died, his students continued the great work of the master.

According to experts, only in 2026 will it be possible to see the final version of this masterpiece.

That is, only a century and a half from the day the first stone was laid, the world will see the cathedral as it was in the dreams and visions of the great Gaudi.

(Source - ARCHICRAFT).

The Expiatory Cathedral of the Holy Family (cat. Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia), often called the Sagrada Familia, is a famous church in Barcelona designed by the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi. The temple is located in the Eixample district, its construction began in 1882 and has not yet been completed.

The first design of the cathedral was developed by the architect Francisco del Villar (cat. Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano), in whose place at the end of 1883 A. Gaudi was invited, who significantly changed the original project. According to the decision of the initiators of the construction of the temple, financing of the work should be carried out exclusively through donations from parishioners, which is one of the reasons for such a long construction.

By 1918, Gaudí had become a completely isolated figure, with only one sponsor left - the Catholic Church. He had to go through a deep spiritual crisis alone, deteriorating health and the death of many close friends. In 1910 his first teacher, José Villasec, died, in 1911 - Maragall, the eccentric sculptor Mani and his assistant, in 1914 - Berenguer, followed by Bishop Campis, and in 1916 - Bishop Torras. With the death of Eusebio Güell in 1918, all work in the park and Colony Güell finally ceased. Nevertheless, by 1918 he had only one project left, the work of his whole life - the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Having created his own unique style in architecture, towards the end of his life he devoted himself completely to this building and to God.

Final view of the Sagrada Familia (project)
Gaudí was engaged not only in designing the building, but also in collecting donations for construction, the pace of which in the first thirty-six years, from 1882 to 1918, could not be called fast. The crypt, which inherited its neo-Gothic forms from Paulo del Villar i Lozano, was completed in 1891.

By 1900, the first transverse façade, called the Nativity façade, was completed, part interior wall and a chapel.
Eighteen years later, Gaudí's team, with the greatest care and attention to detail, continued to refine the designs and layouts of the central nave and passage, as well as the drawings of the opposite transverse façade of the Passion. All this time, four bell towers slowly rose above the façade of the Nativity. The first, completed in 1918, has a honeycomb-shaped brick outer shell with asymmetrical windows spiraling upward from the base to the top. From a distance, it resembles a many times enlarged copy of a fragile sea shell that is found on the coast of Catalonia. Tower of St. Barnabas, covered with mosaics broken glass, turned out to be the only tower completed during Gaudí's lifetime.

Over the decades, Gaudi built and improved a certain liturgical order of the symbolic content of the space of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Thanks to experiments in the colony of Güell, which proved the effectiveness and reliability of the parabolic arch, a constructive solution as a whole had already been found. But in his workshop at the temple, Gaudi worked tirelessly on the details.

Obelisks were placed at the four corners of the construction site, symbolizing the four fasts of the Catholic calendar circle. In addition, they were supposed, according to Gaudí, to “praise the Holy Family and preach the virtues of repentance.” The composition was completed by a fountain and a lamp, symbolizing purification by fire and water. Inside the cathedral, Gaudí planned to place pews for thirteen thousand parishioners, while the central columns corresponded to the main apostolic missions of Spain, which included Valencia, Granada, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Seville, Toledo, Segovia and even small dioceses like Burgo de Osma with a population of only five thousand souls.

Throughout his life, Gaudi did what Goya and El Greco did before him - skillfully used plasticity and pliability spiritual world. He said that “hearing corresponds to faith, and sight corresponds to glory, since glory is the image of God. From the point of view of the sensation of light, space and plasticity, vision is the infinity of space; it sees what is and what is not.” Gaudi was aware of the powerful psychological impact sound, especially in religious buildings. He experimented for years with the shape of elongated bells for the Sagrada Familia. In addition, the entire structure of the building was designed to sound like a grand organ.

Color also played a special role. The irony is that for many Gaudí’s work was associated with “black Spain”, that is, the Inquisition, while he was the author of more impressive creations than the sparkling “HOSANNA” mosaic soaring to the top of the bell tower. Gaudi imagined the interior of the Sagrada Familia as a bright, multi-colored psalm to the glory of God.

Gaudi completed only one of the two chapels located at the corners of the churchyard - the Chapel of the Rosary of Our Lady. It is a very small structure, topped with a dome, thanks to which it penetrates sufficient quantity daylight, and it seems as if rich lace with an abundance of blooming roses and rose bushes associated with Christian symbolism. In addition to the Holy Virgin and Child, there are images of Saint Domingo and Saint Catalina of Siena, as well as figures of the Magi and prophets from the New Testament: David, Solomon, Isaac and Jacob.

The facade of the Nativity of the Sagrada Familia cathedral struck terror into the hearts of honest parishioners. When you step under the giant sculptural frieze, it seems that the building is about to collapse and bury all living things under it.
The central entrance, divided in the middle by a column, is crowned by a sculptural group depicting the Holy Family. All figures are made in life size. At ground level, two columns in the shape of palm trees, visually dividing the space, rest on the backs of two turtles: a sea turtle from the sea side and a land turtle from the mountain side. Turtles symbolize stability and immutability of the world. At the same time, the figures of chameleons on both sides of the facade symbolize the constant change in natural forms.

At a thirty-meter height, under the shade of a giant Christmas tree, surrounded by the apostles Barnabas, Simon, Thaddeus and Matthew, the glorification of the Madonna takes place.

Portico of Mercy, Coronation of Mary

Portico of Hope

Nativity of Jesus

Portico of Hope, Massacre of the Innocents

While designing the facade, Gaudi constantly looked closely at the parishioners in search of suitable models. He considered copying the creations of the Creator highest form his praise and evidence of his own modesty. The cathedral watchman, the alcoholic Josep, who later died of delirium tremens, became Judas. The fat goatherd served as a model for Pontius Pilate. The six-fingered giant, encountered in one of the bars, posed for the centurion figure in the scene of the massacre of the infants. When difficulties arose in finding models, Gaudi found them among his workers. So the sculptor became Saint Peter, the carrier building material- the Apostle Thaddeus, and the plasterer - King David.
The next stage of work was even more unusual. Chickens and turkeys were euthanized with chloroform, coated with fat, and a plaster cast was quickly made of them. The donkey was tied and suspended from his harness to make it easier to take his measurements. A dead owl found at a construction site has become a symbol of the night. It was only once, when Gaudi decided to make a life-size cast of Ricardo Opisso, and he lost consciousness, that the architect realized the eccentricity of his method.
The facade of the Nativity of Christ is decorated with a spire in the form of a cypress tree, crowning three porticoes: Mercy, Faith and Hope. Above the Cave of the Coronation of the Holy Virgin is an anagram of Jesus, quite complex and expressive. In its center you can see a cross with the letters A and Ω along the edges, indicating the beginning and end of all things. The cross itself serves as a symbol of the origin and end of world life.

A little higher up you can see another rarely mentioned symbol - a gold and red glazed egg, also marked with Jesus' personal anagram: JHS. We are probably talking about the egg as a symbol of integrity. The figure of a pelican above him belongs to the primitive iconography of Christianity; it is also found in the mythology of previous eras. According to myths, this bird uses its beak to tear open its belly full of fish to feed its chicks, and therefore serves as a symbol of Jesus, as well as a symbol of the resurrection from the dead.

On November 30, 1925, the construction of the Tower of St. Barnabas, the first tower on the left side of the façade of the Nativity of Christ, was completed. This is the only tower that Gaudi saw completed.
The inside of the tower is as stunning as the outside. At the bottom of each tower, a spiral staircase begins, almost without railings (due to the steepness), and when climbing up it, it begins to seem to a person as if he is rotating around its axis. When looking at these stairs from the bottom up or top down, a stunning optical effect occurs. The stairs of some towers are twisted in one direction, the stairs of others are twisted in the opposite direction. Once up, you can move from one tower to another. Many passages form a delightful vertical labyrinth. Inside one of the four towers there is an elevator that allows you to rise from ground level to where openings with stone shutters open in the walls. Here the stairs rest on the outer walls.

In subsequent years, the architect Domenic Sugranes, a follower of Gaudí, rebuilt three more towers. Later, four almost identical towers of the Passion facade were erected; their construction ended in 1977. According to the project, the four towers of the Slava facade should be much higher than all existing ones.
The towers are dedicated to the twelve apostles. On the four oldest ones - the outer ones, ninety-four meters high, and the inner ones, one hundred and seven meters high - are carved the names and corresponding figures of the apostles Barnabas, Simon, Judas Tadeo and Matthew, sitting on pedestals, and the inscription “Sursum corda” (Lift up your heart) in Latin. Towers with square bases above have round section. The flow of one form into another occurs on upper level facade. There are many church towers square section and very little round, but there is not a single tower, except those of the Sagrada Familia, that combines both types of sections. Gaudi did not leave any explanation for the reason for the transition from square to round, while critics limit themselves to statements that this is a technique that is extremely successful from an aesthetic point of view.

On Monday, June 7, 1926, at five thirty minutes in the afternoon, Gaudí left the Sagrada Familia to walk three kilometers to the church of San Philip Neri. Following his usual path, he went down the street to the intersection and was hit by a tram there. Later, the driver of route No. 30 claimed that Gaudi did not look where he was going, and, tripping over the tram tracks, hit his head on a lamppost. Two passers-by rushed to help the victim of the incident, but did not recognize him as the famous architect. He had no documents with him; in his pockets there were only a handful of raisins and nuts. The hat also disappeared somewhere. Four times they tried to stop a taxi to take the victim to the hospital, but each time they were refused. Finally, with the help of National Guard soldiers, they managed to get a taxi driver to take the wounded man to a free dispensary for the poor. There, Gaudi was quickly diagnosed with rib fractures plus a traumatic brain injury, and they decided to send him to the clinic.
The next morning, “the patient regained consciousness after a night of unconsciousness and asked to be given unction, eagerly receiving the last communion.” Soon news of Gaudí's deplorable condition spread throughout the city. By Tuesday evening he was transferred to a separate ward, his ribs were set, but there was barely a glimmer of life in him. Church prelates, friends and admirers filled the hospital corridors. The proposal to transfer the architect to an expensive private clinic was rejected. Gaudi wanted to die among the people. He said almost nothing, and his heavy breathing was only occasionally interrupted by a whisper of “Lord Jesus!”, and his pale hand lying on top of the blanket tightly clutched the crucifix. On Thursday, June 10, 1926, at five o'clock in the afternoon, Antonio Gaudi passed away.

After Gaudí's death in 1926, the construction of the temple was led by Domenic Sugrañes and Francisco de Quintana, under whom the first four bell towers were completed. In 1939, the construction of the cathedral was undertaken by Isidre Puig Boada and Lewis Bonet i Gali. Lewis Bonet i Gali became the chief architect of the project in 1971. In 1985, Jordi Bonet i Armengol took over the management, and a year later the sculptor José Maria Subirax began work on the façade of the Passion of Christ.

“If we started construction from this facade, people would have prevented it,” Gaudí explained his decision to postpone the construction of the Portal of the Passions. This statement demonstrates the depth of drama that the architect was striving for. In 1911, in the city of Puigcerdà, being seriously ill, he wrote a will and at the same time compiled the composition of this portal, which depicts the events last week earthly life of Jesus.

Crucifixion

That Subirax was the master who was to realize his vision is confirmed by the great respect with which the researcher of Catalan art Sirisi Pellicer writes in his work “Modern Art of Catalonia” (1970): “Subirax creates an exceptional sculpture that makes one think of Gaudí. He creates in the typically unfavorable conditions that accompany all bearers of fire in their clashes with nonentities.” Nevertheless, the appointment of the sculptor Subirax by the Governing Council was from the very beginning subject to sharp criticism and was accompanied by intense controversy. After a year of careful study of Gaudí's architectural and sculptural heritage, Subirax began his duties. On a unique stage with three plans, the sculptor depicted the story of the Passion, starting with the Last Supper and ending with the Crucifixion.

On November 28, 2000, the unfinished temple was consecrated. Currently, José Maria Subirax and other architects are working on the naves, choirs and courtyard. When construction is completed, eighteen towers will rise over the city - in honor of the twelve apostles, four evangelists, the Mother of God and Christ. The towers of the evangelists will be decorated with their symbols, and the central tower of Christ will be decorated with a giant cross. The height of the central tower will be only one meter lower than Montjuic, the mountain that dominates Barcelona. Gaudi believed that his creation should not rise above the mountain that God created. He was a religious man who, despite everything, had a peculiar sense of humor. To criticism about the pace of construction, the famous architect replied: “My client is in no hurry.”

Many considered Gaudi's work prophetic. Fearing that humanity was slipping back into medieval obscurantism, Subirax once said: “If this is true, and everything that we are seeing today is not accidental - the revival of Islam, the AIDS epidemic, the simultaneous degeneration of local authorities and the collapse of great ideological blocs, new form piracy in the form of international terrorism and the flourishing of esotericism - then Gaudi, as in many other cases, prophesied, saying: “The Sagrada Familia is not the last of the cathedrals, but the first in a new era.”

The Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, who can be considered Gaudi’s heir in the sense of a unique ability to feel and discover new forms, most accurately characterized Gaudi’s work: “People tried to interpret Gaudi’s creations in terms of paganism, Freemasonry, Buddhism and even atheism. I think this was a man who really served a religious idea. But this god, or rather goddess, before whom Gaudí bowed was architecture itself.”

Barcelona is a truly unique city. Sights, photographs of which adorn the pages of travel magazines, beckon you to visit the land of Catalonia. And any person who finds himself in this place by the will of fate has an irresistible desire to learn as much as possible about its history. And she, it should be noted, is the richest! Founded under the Romans, Barcelona (Spain, Catalonia) still retains traces of all eras of its development.

Religious buildings

The appearance of the city was left indelibly imprinted by many centuries of the existence of the Christian culture. Barcelona has a wide variety of attractions, but the greatest interest for tourists is the ancient churches and temples located in various areas of the city. In the Gothic Quarter there is the most significant, from the point of view of religious life, temple in Barcelona - Cathedral, whose calling card is a flock of geese grazing near the entrance, symbolizing the purity of St. Eulalia, the patroness of the temple. Unique interior The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, built during the heyday of navigation, attracts the attention of tourists. Another iconic church is visible from anywhere in the city - the Temple of the Sacred Heart, built on the top of Mount Tibidabo. Barcelona, ​​thanks to these buildings, annually attracts thousands of architecture connoisseurs, but the largest number of tourists from all over the world come here to see the main treasure of the city - the Church of the Sagrada Familia, the construction of which began at the end of the 19th century and continues to this day. Millions of people have visited Barcelona over the years to admire the unrivaled style of Antoni Gaudi.

Sagrada Familia

The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia, also sometimes mistakenly called a cathedral, although in fact it is a church, is a cultural landmark not only in Spain, but throughout the world. The recognizable silhouette of the building evokes no less admiration among tourists than This work art included in the list World Heritage UNESCO, despite the fact that the construction of the building has not yet been completed. Every year Spain (Catalonia, Barcelona) receives more than three million people who want to admire the temple with their own eyes. The majestic Sagrada Familia really looks impressive against the backdrop of the city. We will tell you about the history of its construction below.

Construction of the Sagrada Familia

The idea of ​​creating a church arose quite unexpectedly in 1874, as a result of a donation large amount money. Already in 1881, land was purchased for construction a few kilometers from Barcelona. Yes, initially the temple was built outside the city, but later Barcelona grew so much that the Sagrada Familia is now located in the most populated urban area. In March 1882, under the leadership of the architect F. del Villar, they began to lay the foundation of the building. However, despite the large number of ideas and the availability of funds for construction, at the end of 1882 the architect refused to participate in the construction, due to the lack of agreement between him and the customer. Perhaps Barcelona would not now have a landmark of such magnitude if, after del Villar’s ​​removal from work on the project, the enthusiastic and energetic architect Antonio Gaudi had not joined the project. According to his idea, the temple should have turned out to be very openwork, outwardly reminiscent of a cobweb, in the Art Nouveau style. It was assumed that the structure would be strewn with many towers soaring upward, and the remaining internal and external decorations would reflect individual elements of the Gospel, namely the birth, crucifixion, resurrection of Christ, or other rituals catholic church. According to Gaudi's design, the temple was supposed to look like a sand castle, similar to those that children love to build while sitting on the shore of a pond. It was conceived that the central spire of the church in the form of a cross would have a height of 170 meters, which is one meter lower than the height of Montjuic (a mountain in the city of Barcelona) - the temple should not exceed the perfect creation of God.

Gaudí's grand vision

The history of Barcelona took place in parallel with the construction of the Sagrada Familia, because only the façade of the building was erected over a period of more than forty years. During this time, the city grew, confidently joined the industrial era and began to develop rapidly. Antoni Gaudi paid close attention to the decor of each tower. He worked painstakingly and without sparing himself to realize his ideas, and many did not understand why the architect was spending so much money, time and effort on construction, since the tops of the towers were not even visible from the ground. Gaudi replied: “If people don’t see, then the angels will.”

Barcelona grew. The temple grew with her. It was planned to build three facades: the Passion, the Nativity and the Glory of Christ. The architect knew that such a short period of time as a human life would not be enough to turn his grandiose idea into reality. He had to decide which of the three architectural elements to build first. And he made a choice in favor of the Nativity facade, because some scenes of the crucifixion of Christ could frighten the residents, and their opinion was extremely important, because the construction was carried out only with donations. During 1909-1910 A parochial school was built next to the church, again according to Gaudi’s idea. Initially, it was erected as a temporary building, so there were no load-bearing walls, and internal partitions were easily removed, making it possible to easily change the layout of the space. Unfortunately, an accurate image of the school has not survived to this day.

Death of an Architect

On November 30, 1925, the construction of the Nativity facade was completed, Gaudí was about to begin construction of the remaining parts of the building. Over the years of the architect's work, Barcelona acquired a unique landmark - the temple was decorated with church Catholic sculptures and symbols, texts from liturgies and the Gospel. Everything was turned upside down by the ill-fated day of June 7, 1926. 73-year-old Antonio Gaudi was hit by a tram as he walked to church for a service. The architect was dressed very poorly, they took him for a tramp and did not even bother to take him to the hospital. On June 10, 1926, just short of his 74th birthday, Gaudí died. Barcelona has lost a great man! The sights created by his hands are today sought after by millions of people; it is simply impossible to imagine the city without them. And this is not only the Sagrada Familia, although, of course, it is the main creation of the architect. This is where he was buried - Gaudi was buried in the still unfinished building of the Sagrada Familia.

Continuing Antonio's work

The construction of the church did not stop after the death of the master; it was continued by the talented student of the architect, Domenech Sugranes, who had worked with Gaudi since 1902. Already by 1930, the remaining two facades were erected; they, like the first, were decorated with paintings, texts Holy Scripture and sculptures. However, difficult times followed. The lack of monetary donations and the impending world and civil wars led to the fact that the construction of the temple was practically stopped until 1952. Then the construction of the building was resumed, but despite the fact that work has been going on continuously for several decades, the final completion of Antoni Gaudi’s plan is still very far away. It is necessary to complete the construction of four 120-meter towers dedicated to the evangelists Mark, John, Matthew and Luke. According to the architect's idea, a cross should be installed on the 170-meter tower of Christ, and grapes should be installed on the other four, as a symbol of Communion. If no unforeseen circumstances will not arise, and construction will be carried out according to plan; by 2026, the greatest building that began its existence in the century before last will finally be completed. Endings grandiose construction It’s not just Barcelona that’s waiting. People from all over the world are helping to build the temple; donations are made by both Christians and representatives of other faiths. Thus, recently there has been a significant influx Money from Japan.

Church of the Sacred Heart

Barcelona has truly unique attractions. World-famous photographers come here to capture this both ancient and modern city with outstanding architecture. However, you won’t be able to get a complete picture if you don’t climb Mount Tibidabo and enjoy the stunning views of the city from the observation deck. It is here that the Church of the Sacred Heart was built, and above it rises the figure of Christ, with his arms embracing the whole world.

History and decoration of the church

Translated from Latin, the name sounds like “I give to you.” According to legend, it was from the top of this mountain that the devil tempted Jesus Christ, showing all earthly beauties. The Expiatory Temple of the Heart of Christ is located at the very top of Tibidabo, so it is visible from every corner of Barcelona. The church was designed and started to be built in 1902 by the architect Enric Sagnier. The construction of the temple was completed in 1961 by his son, Josep.

The Church of the Sacred Heart is decorated in Romanesque style and the decoration contains all the attributes of these architectural trends - the triangular elongated porticoes of the facade, roses above the entrances, and peculiar windows and arches. The lower crypt consists of five naves with ellipsoidal apses, which also serve as a platform for the upper room, where two solid staircases lead. The real decoration of the interior of the church is the multi-colored mosaic - a kind of tribute to the traditions of art of the Byzantine period. In the icons of the temple one can trace storylines from modern history Spain, all the people are represented in modern clothes. Gothic elements - narrow windows, skyward turrets, pointed arches, carved fine details of decoration - give the church weightlessness and grace, but at the same time the sculptural compositions create a mood of majestic solemnity. The facade of the building is decorated with the creations of the Catalan master Eusebi Arnau - statues of Saints James and George, as well as Mother of God, A top part The temple is represented by compositions by another skilled sculptor, Josep Miret. The central spire of the church is topped with a golden statue of Christ, similar to the world famous Monument to the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. At the base of the sculpture there is the highest observation deck in Barcelona, ​​which offers a breathtaking view of the endless Mediterranean Sea and the capital of Catalonia washed by its gentle waves.

Cathedral of Barcelona

A map of the city's attractions must include the Barcelona Cathedral, whose second name is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. In that majestic temple pilgrims all over the world direct their feet, because it is here that the relics of the holy martyr Eulalia of Barcelona, ​​who died at the age of 13 in 304 AD, rest. In the 4th century, when Eulalia lived, paganism reigned in the land of Catalonia, but the girl honored her faith in Jesus, for which she was burned. A dove flew out of the martyr’s mouth before her death, and at the same time snow fell on the executioners. Several centuries passed, and Eulalia was ranked among the saints and dubbed the patroness of Barcelona, ​​and the city's main cathedral was erected in her honor in the center of the Gothic quarter.

The Catedral de Barcelona (photo below) is filled with many relics of historical and religious value. Its territory began to take its current form in 1268, when the chapel was built. Since the first half of the 15th century, it has been an undeniable decoration of the city. Construction of the temple lasted 122 years; the building was erected directly on the ruins of a Roman basilica. Individual elements, for example, the spire, were completed much later. Today, tourists arriving in Barcelona can appreciate the grandeur of the structure and the care taken in every detail. White geese walk around the courtyard adjacent to the cathedral - this is a symbol of the purity of Eulalia. Christian relics are kept inside the building: the remains of the Saint resting in a sarcophagus, and the image of Jesus from the ship that participated in the Battle of Lepanto. Barcelona Cathedral is a monument of art and history of national importance. Saint Eulalia is revered by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians, so the temple is noteworthy for representatives of both faiths. In addition, the Catedral de Barcelona serves as the residence of the Archbishop of Barcelona.

Church of the Holy Virgin of the Sea

The second most important religious building after the capital of Catalonia is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. It is located in the historic port area, the Ribera quarter, where sailors, merchants and nobles lived during the heyday of trade. In their honor, a church was erected over a labyrinth of medieval cramped streets. The foundation of the creation of the architect Berenguer de Montagut was laid in 1329, and already in 1383 the construction was completed. Previously, when the sea had not yet receded so far due to natural sediments, the basilica stood right next to the water. On the tympanum of the portico we can distinguish the so-called Deesis - the figure of Christ seated on the throne, on either side of which Mary and John kneel. A fire that occurred in 1936 destroyed many sculptural compositions, and, apart from these figures, only the statues of Paul and Peter survived. Very interesting are the figurative images with which the stones of the vault are decorated. First of all, this is the statue of Mary (Madonna) above the main altar, at whose feet there is a sculpture of a sailing ship, which is an allegorical autograph of the architect of the basilica. To the right of the church, in a small square, a memorial in the form of an amphitheater was built. A dedication is carved on the walls to the Catalans who died during the battle with the army of Philip V in 1714.

Orthodox Church in Barcelona

Since 2002, the Russian Orthodox Church has been operating in the capital of Catalonia. Initially, services took place in the chapel of Santa Maria Reina, and in certain days- in the Monastery of Montserrat and Barcelona Cathedral. However, the premises allocated to the parish were not enough for the ever-increasing number of parishioners, which raised the question of finding a separate building with service premises where the iconostasis could be installed and stored for these purposes for rental use by the Russian Orthodox Church In 2011, the abandoned Church of St. George, built in the neo-Romantic style in the mid-twentieth century, was given over. Now this is the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Orthodox church in Barcelona, ​​where every believer who, by the will of fate, finds himself in the land of Catalonia can come.

In this article:

1. Architectural components of the cathedral
2. Antonio Gaudi and the Sagrada Familia
3. Sagrada Familia in detail
4. How to get to Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia Cathedral is the symbol of Barcelona. No person interested in this magnificent Spanish city can ignore the temple, which has become famous throughout the world. Still would! Firstly, the Sagrada is a unique structure from an architectural point of view, and secondly, the construction of the cathedral has been going on for more than a century and will continue for a long, long time.

Architectural components of the cathedral

The temple is being built exclusively with funds donated to this worthy cause by patrons and simple people. The plans are to complete the construction of the cathedral by 2030. And looking at the majestic structure from some angles, one can agree that this is a real task. This is how you can see the facade of the Passion of the Sagrada Familia from the park:

A completely finished look. But this, one might say, is only a fifth of the entire structure. On the opposite side, another façade of the temple, dedicated to the Nativity, is nearing completion. These four towers on the right crown the Nativity façade:

But if you look at this great construction project from a distance and wonder what other structures should appear in the full version of the cathedral, it becomes obvious that a huge amount of work remains to be done.

In the next photo you can see the cathedral from afar. The frame is made from . From quite a distance, the scale of construction is clearly visible:

It seems that the Sagrada Familia dominates the entire north-eastern part of Barcelona. The eight towers that have already been erected exceed the hundred-meter mark. And in the central part of the structure, where construction cranes are now located, according to the project, it is planned to erect a tower, which will be crowned with a huge cross. It is expected that the height of the Sagrada Familia will reach 170 m.

But the listed elements do not exhaust the cathedral project that the brilliant architect Antonio Gaudi worked on. The master also planned a third facade with four towers similar to a huge spindle. The Facade of Glory - this is how Gaudi wanted to see another main component of the temple.

Gaudi and the Sagrada Familia

Gaudi created a number of masterpieces in Barcelona, ​​but the Sagrada Familia became the work, and probably the meaning of his whole life. Antoni Gaudi devoted 43 years to the famous project.

The laying of the first stone of the cathedral took place in 1882. This date is imprinted on the stone of the gate leading to the temple grounds.

To be fair, it should be clarified that the cathedral was originally designed in the neo-Gothic style by the architect Francesc de Paula Villar. Construction began under his leadership. However, disagreements arose between the project owner and Villar, which led to the need to transfer the project to another architect. Thus, the construction of the temple in 1883 became the responsibility of Antonio Gaudi, who had already shown his talent by that time.

Gaudi left the underground part that had been built in a year, but developed a completely different architectural project for the further construction of the temple.

Until his last days, Antonio Gaudi worked on sketches and calculations for the project. During his lifetime, by 1926, the main elements of the Nativity façade were erected. According to Gaudi's idea, this facade reflects the main events from the life of Christ. If you look closely, you can see the main stories of the Bible in this photograph:

All sculptures are life-size. Despite this, from a distance it seems that the facade contains more chaos than expressive images. But let’s look at at least one plot closer, and all doubts will be dispelled:

As you know, Antonio Gaudi's sketches and calculations were practically destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. Now they are recovering bit by bit. Most of The technical developments of the Catalan architect are located in the Gaudi Center, opened in the master’s homeland in a small town.

But will modern architects be able to recreate the appearance of the cathedral that Gaudi saw in his imagination?

Sagrada Familia in detail

According to the architect's plan, the Sagrada Familia should have 18 towers! 12 towers - four towers on each façade - are dedicated to the apostles. Gaudí planned to erect four more towers in honor of the evangelists. The tallest 170-meter tower in the center will be dedicated to Jesus Christ, and next to it the bell tower of the Virgin Mary was planned to be slightly lower.

Time will tell which of these plans will be realized. In the meantime, we see 8 towers on two facades. Each tower has a sculpture of the apostle after whom it is named:

Almost every detail of the cathedral is dedicated to the apostles, biblical scenes, and saints:

Any information source regarding the work of Antoni Gaudi emphasizes his focus on nature and natural images. The Sagrada Familia building repeatedly illustrates this architect's commitment to natural elements. Its towers are crowned with medallions decorated with ceramics, or pine cones, or berries:

In addition to the façade of the Nativity, the façade of the Passion of Christ has now been worked out in some detail in the cathedral. Active construction of this part of the cathedral resumed in 1954, but is still underway, covered with forests significant part facade:

The sculptural groups on this side of the temple are completely different both in content and execution. Above the entrance there are angular compositions that tell about the torment and death of Christ:

For those who arrive at the Sagrada Familia by Bus Turistic, it is convenient to view the façade of the Passion from the top floor of the bus. Don't rush to get off the bus - you won't be able to see such clear pictures from below. Moreover, the bus stops at this stop for several minutes.

In general, as often happens, the grandiose structure occupies an area limited by buildings, so it is not easy to inspect it. A magnificent view of the temple opens if you enter the park nearby.

How to get to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

It’s one thing if you decide to use the Bus Turistic excursion when visiting Barcelona. In this case, the blue line bus will take you to the temple itself. But, if you are exclusively interested in the Sagrada Familia, then you can use the metro. Two metro lines have a station of the same name with an exit right next to the cathedral.

But for those who enjoy walking around the city, it is best to walk. For example, from Catalonia the walk to the cathedral is only a couple of kilometers, and from the Arc de Triomphe and the Ciutadella Park even less. This part of Barcelona is called the Eixample and is absolutely easy to navigate. The streets, strictly delineating the blocks, will lead to the temple without any problems.

By the way, the main temple of Barcelona is not the Sagrada Familia, but the cathedral, which is located in the center. This is the oldest cathedral in the city, which has cathedral status. But, of course, you need to see both the Sagrada Familia and the Cathedral with your own eyes, and ideally, you should see them too, since fate has given you a trip to Barcelona.

Your euro guide Tatyana

Gaudi Cathedral in Barcelona rightfully bears the status of a cult city landmark. Throughout the world this object is known by the name. Gaudí's Cathedral is considered a major tourist attraction that attracts travelers from all over the world to Barcelona. This architectural marvel has a complicated history with several tragic twists.

Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona is not a stronghold of the church, since it was not built on church land. It should be remembered that the residence of the archbishop is. For some reason, this fact is ignored by many tourists who try to find connections between Gaudi's Cathedral and the Church of Barcelona where there are none.

The popularity is extremely high, so it is not surprising that there are a large number of rumors and speculations surrounding this attraction.

History of Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona

The unique architectural miracle of Barcelona became a reality thanks to monetary donations from ordinary parishioners. The deal to purchase land for construction took place in 1881. At that time it was located outside the city limits, but now it is in the area of ​​​​the center of Barcelona. The growth rate of the urban area is so significant.

Francisco del Villar was appointed the first architect of the extraordinary Barcelona project. Since 1882, he had been working on the idea, wanting to present to the public a neo-Gothic basilica in the shape of a cross.

Francisco was immersed in work and managed to complete the drawings of the asp with seven chapels. However, problems arose due to the customer's disagreement. This created tension and forced the architect to spend too much time defending his vision. Del Villar's departure came less than a year after he started working.

He was replaced by the ambitious and discussed in Barcelona Antonio Gaudi, who decided to develop the project from scratch, ignoring the ideas of his predecessor. For Gaudi, one of the key tasks was to ensure harmony between the brainchild and nature.

The final choice was made on the sand castle concept. Gaudi's Cathedral, according to the architect's plan, was to become a truly great project, but not to encroach on the sacred positions of nature. The height of the central spire (170 meters) was not chosen by chance: the landmark was the pride of Barcelona - Mount Montjuic. Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona proves that human imagination is limitless and can lead to amazing results, but the real magician is nature.

7 years after the start of construction, I received the long-awaited crypt, which originated during the work of del Villar. Antonio Gaudi wanted to present to the world a project that would serve as a visual encyclopedia of the Gospel for the residents and visitors of Barcelona.

Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona has a complicated history of construction. Perhaps the key problem can be considered insufficient funding, which slowed down the construction process.

While working on the asp, we managed to get a significant amount. Money opened up opportunities to adjust the project. Main Constructive decisions were not revised, but to give the appearance a monumental look, Gaudi designed amazingly beautiful towers. Thoughtfulness to the smallest detail and graceful forms have become the main features of Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona.

The attraction is characterized by stunning facades of the Nativity, Glory and Passion of Christ, which conquer the heart of any tourist in Barcelona. Initially, it was planned to decorate Gaudi's Cathedral with an unusual combination of ceramic shades, but the plan was later abandoned.

Of primary importance to Gaudí's Cathedral in Barcelona is the Nativity façade. Antonio Gaudi believed that it was necessary to mobilize all resources for its construction. The architect wanted to surprise the residents of Barcelona with the scale of the construction and convey to them the main idea. Lizards and snails were used to decorate this façade. During the construction of Gaudí's Cathedral, a lot of time and effort was devoted to the cloister, which symbolizes the portal of the Holy Virgin of the Rosary.

One of the main architectural wonders of Barcelona received its characteristic forms by the beginning of the last century. The outlines of Gaudí's Cathedral became the subject of numerous debates, in which city residents expressed their surprise and admiration for the architectural genius. Even then it became clear that Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona would take its place among the best Catalan attractions.

The architect decided on the need to build a parish school to develop the idea of ​​the project. Its construction lasted a year. The parochial school became one of the notable features. It embodies the main ideas of the architect’s creativity - the rejection of stereotypes and the use of curved forms in such a way as not to weaken the strength of the structure.

In 1925 it happened an important event for Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona - the construction of the Nativity façade was completed. To this day, the column of St. Barnabas surprises with its size.

Gaudi's Cathedral loses its author: the death of a great architect

June 7, 1926 is considered a turning point in the history of the construction of the Sagrada Familia. As a result of the accident, the architect was hit by a tram, but did not receive sufficient medical care. It's all about his modest appearance and lack of documents with him at the time of the tragedy. It was decided to send the victim to a hospital for the poor, where they did not want to spend much time with him and provided assistance at a minimal level. Gaudi was identified at a time when precious time was lost. The death of the great architect of Barcelona occurred on June 10, 1926. He was buried in the crypt of the main project of his life. This decision is explained by symbolism and the desire to provide a connection between Gaudí's Cathedral and its author.

Domenech Sugranes was chosen as the next architect for the project. He was considered, if not the most, then one of the most talented students of Antoni Gaudi.

Gaudi Cathedral in Barcelona: construction after the death of an extraordinary genius

In the 30s of the last century, the construction of the columns of the Nativity façade was completed. Difficulties in further work were associated with civil war, which has caused difficulties in all areas of life. During the fighting, the drawings of Gaudi's Cathedral, left by the author of the project, burned down. With the end of the war, work on the construction of a unique landmark of Barcelona resumed, but without Sugranes, who died in 1938.

Significant progress in the construction of Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona was achieved in 1952. The final appearance was the staircase and lighting. The completion of work on the Nativity facade was nearing, and it was planned to devote all efforts to the Passion façade. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of finishing work on crypto.

The construction of the tower of the Passion façade was completed in 1977. In order to decorate Gaudi's Cathedral, it was decided to use numerous stained glass windows and sculptures. Ideas for decorations are related to the theme of the Nativity.

Currently, Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona is being built at an accelerated pace by attracting large number strength and resources. The asp and middle cross were completed in 2010. The next goal is to build 2 towers. The main one has a height of 170 meters. The towers, according to the plan, are made in honor of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Gaudi Cathedral in Barcelona: interesting facts

1. The project contains 4 more towers that should be dedicated to the Evangelists. Each of them is 120 meters high. Subject to compliance with the deadlines for the completion of work at each stage, the construction of Gaudi's Cathedral will be completed in 2026.

2. The Sagrada Familia is not only amazing appearance, but also a unique interior decoration with a lot of details. They fully reveal the intent of the project. Antonio Gaudi tried to use atypical forms to impart grace and incomparable beauty. This is associated with difficulties during construction, since it is difficult to work with the accepted forms. The architectural wonder of Barcelona takes a lot of time to realize.

3. Currently, Gaudi Cathedral is supplied with the necessary resources, and people are involved in the work on the project the best specialists, which are able to realize the original idea using modern design tools. Barcelona has been waiting for the completion of this project for decades.

When constructing the Sagrada Familia, it is necessary to process the stone blocks using a special technology that requires a lot of time.

Buying tickets to Gaudi's Cathedral

From the inside, the attraction surprises with original stained glass windows, amazing stucco work and mosaics. Gaudí's Cathedral is famous for its unique play of light. Great attention to detail in planning interior spaces – distinguishing feature creativity of Gaudi.