After doing my Where in Spain Wednesday series for a few months now, I just had to include a photo of the Sagrada Familia! It’s one of Spain’s most iconic buildings, and one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen.
This is probably Antoni Gaudí’s most famous work, and for lots of good reasons. First of all, it’s gigantic! It’s also really, really unusual. The architectural details are like nothing else I’ve seen, and each side is different from the others. One looks like a traditional church, while another is all severe geometric lines. And of course, the most famous side looks like it’s melting!
But the coolest thing about La Sagrada Familia is that it’s always changing and evolving, as it’s only half-finished. I went inside for the first time in 2009, and re-visited during this year’s La Mercè festival (for free!). The interior has completely changed – last time I went it was full of construction cranes! As you can see, they’ve made a lot of progress.
The Sagrada Familia might look like it’s taking forever, but they’re optimistic that it’ll be done in 2026. It’s going to be about twice as tall as it is now when it’s finished – 568 feet or 170 meters!
This is definitely a must-see sight in Barcelona. It’s a little pricey to go inside, but hey, how often do you see a giant temple while it’s being built?
Besos!
-Jess
Love, love, love the Sagrada Familia! Nothing could have prepared me for the interior, it was overwhelming to say the least. I wish I had seen it earlier during construction, like you, so I could appreciate the progress that has been made. Needless to say, I have already planned to return. And will probably return again when it’s finished. As for Gaudi, there’s something so poetic and tragic about starting your life’s work, knowing you’ll never see it finished.
The entry fee is definitely pricey, especially when you go for the audio book and lift pass like I did. However, I think of it as being a part, somehow, of the building’s construction and completion.
I definitely recommend seeing it at different stages if you can. Even photos of it in progress are so interesting! Have you seen the images of the final building? They’re so cool.
Yes! It’s hard to imagine it’s going to be taller than it already is.
Would love to return to see the progress, in a few years 🙂
Same here, if I’m not still living in Barcelona! It’s such an incredible project.
I did a presentation on Gaudi in high school Spanish class. I’ve been dying to go here ever since! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! 🙂 You should definitely go when you get the chance, his stuff is even more crazy and amazing in person.
Wow, it is beautiful. I really hope to go and see it (and Barcelona, in general) in person one day. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it! I highly recommend Barcelona in person, but I’m a little biased. 🙂
I love this post and I love your blog
I’m currently working in Spain and i’m planning a trip to Barcelona in December. This had made me very excited, faaaar too early!
Amiee
http://traveltastewear.blogspot.com/
Ooh awesome! Barcelona is so pretty in December with all the Christmas decorations up. Hope you have a great trip!
We were in awe of the Sagrada Familia too – I could have spent hours and hours perusing all of the details!
Same! It’s such a fascinating building.
It’s the most amazing building I’ve ever been in.
I agree, it’s spectacular! I’ve never seen anything else like it at all.
i have a lot of shots taken here in Sagrada but i find yours beautifully composed….nice shot! Spain is a country i would like to visit again……lucky you to have explored it more 🙂 thanks for re-visiting my blog again as it always reminds me to come back to yours and check out what is new on your very interesting blog!
Thanks very much, I love reading your blog too 🙂 Spain is a great country to travel around – it never fails to surprise me.