There are a few architects who worked on church’s construction. Among them most prominent name is the name of Antonio Gaudi for whom the Sagrada Familia was the meaning of his life.
Another very important name is name of Josep Maria Bocabella who was not the architect but whom we call the “father of Sagrada Familia”. Bocabella was a local business man from Barcelona. He was a books publisher. And he after his trip to Rome conceived to build in the city the church dedicated to the Holy Family. And he was the first backer of the building.
The first architect of Sagrada Familia was Francisco de Paula del Villar who conceived to build church in the popular for those times neo gothic style. But soon after the beginning he left the project since he has been disagreed with Bocabella how to build Sagrada Familia. (Definitely Bocabella was trying to interpose into construction. )
Thereafter Antonio Gaudi joined a project. Construction of Sagrafa Familia was very slow. Partly it can be explained by the lack of finance. Sometimes even Gaudi was participating into the funds gathering. About it Gaudi spoke that his customer a God and he does not hurry.
Until his death in 1926 Guadi made crypt, apse and porch before the Sagrada Familia. Also Guidi led the constriction of church’s school which situated near the Sagrada Familia. Civil war in Spain which took place in 1930-years caused the stop of Sagrada Familia’s construction in Barcelona. And during bombarding of the city all Gaudi models of the Sagrada Familia were demolished.
The work was resumed in 1954 year. It’s still in the progress. Spanish government promises to finish the Sagrada Familia before the 150 years of Gaudi anniversary.
Architecture of Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia has canonical forms for Christian church (so-called Latin Christ). Apse of the church has seven chapels. Gaudi saved initial plans of Sagrada Familia but changed considerably proportions and looks of the church.
Sagrada Familia has 18 towers. The highest tower (170 meters) devoted to the Lord. This tower encircled by 4 smaller towers. The tower devoted to the St. Maria erected over the Apse of Sagrada Familia. The rest of towers devoted to the 12 apostles.
The apse of the Sagrada Familia has been finished in the 1895 year. The most interesting part of the apse is the drain which has forms of some examples of the Catalonian flora and fauna.
But most excellent part of Sagrada Familia is the façade. I don’t have enough of word to describe it. Just look at the pictures of façade which I made during my trip to Barcelona. You can stay near façade endlessly and just enjoy by it.
Another famous facade of Sagrada Familia – The Facade of Passion which was built in the middle of 20 century. Probably you will see it facade first if you approach the Sagrada Familia from the Diagonal Avenue.
Some tips about Sagrada Familia
The church address - Carrer de Mallorca 401
The nearest metro station – Sagrada Familia
Working hours from April to September – 9:00-20:00
You can buy the tickets to Sagrada Familia near the main entrance.
