Guides - Barcelona Travel Guide 2015 Essential Tourist Information, Maps & Photos

The Sagrada Familia, known officially as the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Famlia, is an impressively large Roman Catholic Church in Barcelona. Despite being rated as one UNESCOs World Heritage Sites, construction on the basilica has yet to be completed. Construction began in 1882, is estimated to be finally completed in 2036. What first began as an expression of the revolutionary changes the city was undergoing, and conceived by Josep Bocabella, the church has changed architects and styles through the years.

The first architect to work on the structure was Francisco de Paula del Villar, who had ideas for a neo-gothic-styled church that was simple in design and stature. Subsequent disagreements between Bocabella and Villar led to Antoni Gaudi, a renowned art nouveau architect, being hired on to continue construction on the building. Gaudis takeover of the project led to a complete change in design, and become more of a personal expression of Gaudis faith and his strong nationalist feelings.

Gaudi devoted more than 40 years of his life to working on the church. His untimely demise was mourned by the faithful people in the entire region who had been following the design and construction of what is considered to be his masterpiece. Due to his complete devotion to the structure, Antoni Gaudi was interred in the Sagrada Familia crypt.

The project continued until the 1935 Spanish Civil War, under the keen eye of Domnech Sugranyes. While the structure was not damaged during the war, a number of plans and models for the building were destroyed by those who saw it as being a symbol of an outdated and uptight religion that did not belong in the new Barcelona they were erecting.

The 1950s saw the project once again under construction, following a number of adaptations and reconstructed plans. The current architect has integrated technology to help ensure a much more efficient design for completion of the church.

Filled with deep faith-based symbolism, mosaics and statues, the Sagrada Familia is an incredible destination that is certain to inspire awe in all who visit it. The cost of admission permits guests entrance to a museum within the crypt where Gaudi rests. Visitors can also climb the 400 steps, or take an elevator to the top, where views of the surrounding city can be enjoyed.

Where: Carrer de Mallorca 401, 08013 Barcelona

If you have Internet access and are reading this guide from a smart phone, tablet or computer, you can view the full map showing all 20 attractions here: http://travelbugguides.com/barcelonamap.html

Opening Hours: Basilica: Oct-Mar: 9 am - 6 pm. Apr Sept: 9 am - 8pm. Dec 25th & 26th, Jan 1st & 6th: 9 am - 2 pm. Crypt: Monday Friday: 9 am 10 am and 6 pm 9pm. Sat, Sun and Holidays: 9 am 2 pm and 6 pm 9 pm.

Contact: http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/?lang=0 | +34 935 13 20 60