10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About the Sagrada Familia

Located in the heart of the Eixample district of Barcelona, this temple began its journey in 1882 under the guidance of Antonio Gaudí, and since then has seen many architects who were determined to respect Gaudí's organic architecture.

Imitating the forms of nature, the interior of the Sagrada Familia provides a natural feeling that captivates us thanks to its columns and vaults. Such is the global fascination with this monument that in 2020 it was voted the most iconic location in the world.

That's why today we're sharing a few curiosities that you might not have known about the Sagrada Familia.

The Sagrada Familia is expected to complete its construction in 2026 to coincide with the centennial of Antonio Gaudí's death. Despite the optimistic predictions, it's uncertain whether the deadlines will be met due to the halt in construction caused by the total lockdown in 2020.

Although it may surprise you, the idea to build the Sagrada Familia did not originate with Gaudí. The original concept came from Francesc de Paula Villar, who threw in the towel before construction began due to disagreements with the City Hall of Barcelona.

The Sagrada Familia is, after St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the most visited church in all of Europe. Its beauty and iconic status attract thousands and thousands of tourists from around the world. It's no surprise...

That's why he drew sketches and plans to guide future architects who would take on completing the construction of the Sagrada Familia. And so it was, that things with the Sagrada Familia have been very, very slow.

Despite leaving sketches and plans for the Sagrada Familia, during the Civil War anti-clericals set fire to part of this monument, resulting in the loss of information he had prepared for his successors.

Gaudí was only able to see his dream come to life with the Nativity facade. This was the only part of the Sagrada Familia completed during the architect's lifetime. This section, along with the crypt, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2005.

Today we see the monument integrated into the heart of Barcelona and amidst a neighborhood. However, before the city's expansion, the monument was located in open fields, in the middle of nowhere.

When its construction is finished, it will measure 172.5 meters tall, making it the tallest building in Catalonia. To give you an idea... the Statue of Liberty is only 93 meters tall.

On the Passion facade, there is a kind of square, similar to a Sudoku, that measures 4 meters wide by 4 meters high, and if you add its numbers, it always totals 33. What does this number have to do with anything? It is the age of Christ at the time of his death.

Gaudí died at the age of 74 after being run over by a tram and was buried in the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the crypt of the basilica where he worked for over 40 years.