Sagrada Familia Facades

The Sagrada Familia Facades attributes a mixture of concepts of Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism, Art Nouveau, and Catalan Noucentisme. Although the construction of the church commenced during the time of Art Nouveau, the architect Antoni Gaudi was rewarded for bringing the Art Nouveau style as a surface decoration.

The Sagrada Familia displays a complicated symphony of different parts, like three portals, multiple steeples, double aisles, towers, and an ambulatory with seven apsidal chapels. The facades of the Sagrada Familia are the most interesting ones. There are three facades in Sagrada Familia, namely Passion Facade, Nativity Facade, and Glory Facade.

The construction of all the facades has been completed by the architect Antoni Gaudi in his lifetime, except the Glory Facade. The Nativity Facade represents the birth of Christ and displays sceneries of life, birth, and light, while the Passion Facade is symbolic of the death, passion, and resurrection of Christ. On the contrary, the Glory Facade is symbolic of the eternal glory of Christ and focuses on Christ’s rise to heaven and eternal glory.

The Sagrada Familia Facades are unique pieces of architecture that have attracted a lot of tourists visiting Barcelona. This Roman-Catholic Church has been in construction since 1882, and it has been a century until now.

Passion Facade
Passion Facade

The construction of the Passion Sagrada Familia Facades started in 1954 until 1976. The Passion Facade of the church is a representative of the Death, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ. This facade gives a feeling of skeletal with pillars showcasing bones and sculptures reiterating the last time in the life of Christ. You will find six large columns supporting the Passion Facade, each resembling Sequoia trunks. It attributes a pyramidal pediment with 18 bone-shaped columns over the six columns that conclude to a large cross with a crown of thorns. Visitors can view the three levels of the scene sculpted on the facade, including the last night of Jesus before the crucifixion, followed by the Calvary of Christ, and Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ.

 Nativity Facade
Nativity Facade

Including the Passion and Glory facades, Nativity Facade is the only part created by the architect, Antoni Gaudi. The construction of this facade commenced in 1894 and was completed in 1930. The designs of the facade are intricate and are adorned with marble animals, like pelicans, turtles, and salamanders. You will also discover a tree of life that is filled with white marble doves. The Nativity Facade is symbolic of the birth of Christ and represents life, birth, and light. There are three entrances to the Nativity Facade, which constitute the three theological values, such as hope to the left, charity at the center, and faith to the right.

Glory Facade
Glory Facade

The Glory Facade is the only facade that is left to be completed. This facade represents the eternal glory of Christ and attributes sceneries of Christ rising to heaven and eternal bliss. Though its construction has not yet been completed, it is still the tallest of all the La Sagrada Familia Facades. Through the Glory Facade, you will get access to the central nave of the basilica. The recent development of the Glory Facade started in 2002 as was drawn by the architect Antoni Gaudi in his few sketches. Before his final rest, he laid down his vision and plan of the Glory Facade in the form of sketches, which consists of death, final judgment, health, and glory.

 Birth Facade
Birth Facade

Another one of the Sagrada Familia Facades is the Birth Facade. This facade represents the birth of Christ. In this facade, you will find three major doors and four bells towers or portals that are embellished with intricate designs of plants, animals, and human figures. There are three portals in the Birth Facade, namely Hope, Mercy, and Faith, that feature three pillars of Catholic dogma. Thus, this facade showcases the constant adjustments of nature and existence and the ultimate sublimation of the creator. There are some signs and symbols for every plant, person, and creature on this facade. The chameleons even reflect the change.

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FAQs of Sagrada Familia Facades

What is so special about Sagrada Familia?

    Sagrada Familia Facades is special for its iconic combination of tradition and innovation. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that received such designation because of its unique architecture and astonishing interiors. Not only this, the attraction is so special as it has been under construction for more than a century, and the architect, Antoni Gaudi dedicated the last few years of his life to this project.

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