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La Sagrada Familia Facts

La Sagrada Familia Facts
La Sagrada Familia is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Spain, that has been under construction since 1882. The main architect of the church was Antoni Gaudi, who died in 1926 when La Sagrada Familia was only about 25% complete. The design of La Sagrada Familia is believed to be Art Nouveau style, with influences of Spanish Late Gothic, and Catalan Modernism. It was designed to be a cathedral-sized building, but it wasn't intended to be a cathedral. Although not yet completed, La Familia Sagrada was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed it a minor basilica in 2010.
Interesting La Sagrada Familia Facts:
The ground-breaking for La Sagrada Familia took place in 1882.
The expected completion date for completion of La Sagrada Familia is 2041.
The original idea for La Sagrada Familia came from the publisher Josep Bocabella, who was inspired after a trip to the Vatican.
The original design of La Sagrada Familia came from Francisco de Paula del Villar, but he resigned in 1883. He had overseen the apse crypt's construction. He envisioned a Gothic Revival style of church.
After the first designer resigned Antoni Gaudi took over as the architect. He changed the design drastically and began work in 1883. It wasn't until 1884 that he was officially appointed Architect Director.
The construction of La Sagrada Familia has been funded by donations.
Antoni Gaudi died in 1926 when La Sagrada Familia was estimated to be 15 to 25% complete. He is believed to have said, "My client is not in a hurry', referring to the long construction period expected for completion.
After Antoni Gaudi's death Domenec Sugranes I Gras took over. His work was interrupted in 1936 with the Spanish Civil War.
After 1940 a variety of architects have been involved in the construction of La Sagrada Familia, including, Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig Boada, Lluis Bonet I Gari, and Francesc Cardoner.
As of October 2015 La Sagrada Familia is estimated to be 70% complete.
The entrance fees of tourists visiting La Sagrada Familia reach approximately 25 million euros a year. This is the annual budget for construction.
In 2010 an organ was installed in the un-finished La Sagrada Familia, making it possible to hold religious services.
The consecration by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 was witnessed by 6500 people. More than 50,000 people were outside the basilica for the mass and took communion from 100 bishops and 300 priests.
La Sagrada Familia will have three facades when complete, including the Nativity façade to the east, the Glory façade to the south, and the Passion façade to the west. The basic design of the central nave is that of a Latin cross.
The spire of La Sagrada Familia is planned to reach 560 feet when completed. The spire is the tapering structure at the top of the building.
The Nave, the Crypt, the Museum, the Shop, and the Nativity and Passion towers are accessible by tourists.
The full name of La Sagrada Familia is Basilica I Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia.


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