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Why Gaudi's
Sacred Family Church
is special
The Sacred Family Church conceived by Antoni Gaudi is one of the world's most
striking and unconventionally designed houses of worship.
Tips & insights on
Gaudi's Sacred Family Church
 Construction
began in 1883. Today, about 125 years later, it's still unfinished.
Delays
were caused by many factors, including the Spanish Civil War, Gaudi's design
flaws (which had to be corrected), his propensity to change plans in midstream,
and his death in 1926 (he was killed by a streetcar).
Completion-time
estimates vary from "soon" to "never". If you factor in modern engineering
technology and the structure's current state (70% complete), I would say 2020.
But with this project, any prediction is risky.
A
planned high-speed-train tunnel will come very close the foundation of the
Sacred Family Church. This has created controversy. Some experts believe that
tunnel construction and train vibrations could damage the building by causing
falling tiles, structural cracks, or even total collapse.
Gaudi's
design style is eclectic, with obvious Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveaux and wild
imagination elements thrown in.
The
Sacred Family Church will have 12 spires soaring as high as a modern 35-story
building, So far 8 have been built (including the 4 shown in the photo). In
addition, there will be a central dome and spire rising yet another 15 stories.
You
can take an elevator up one of the spires for a great view of Barcelona.
Alternatively, you can also walk up, but the staircase is quite narrow, has
several hundred steps, and has two-way traffic.
Antoni
Gaudi is entombed in the crypt of the Sacred Family Church.
Be
sure to visit the interesting museum in the crypt area. It illustrates the
construction history.
Arrive
in the morning when the Gaudi's Sacred Family Church first opens. Waiting
lines are usually long because floor space is limited and this is Barcelona's
most popular attraction.
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