A world wonder built over a century — the Sagrada Família is located in Spain

By MOOK Scenic SpotsJun(e)Compiled report

The world has many wonders, but this sacred church, which took over a hundred years to build, is undoubtedly one of them. A famous Spanish landmark, the magnificent and holy Catholic cathedral – the Sagrada Família, was designed by Antoni Gaudí. Its towering and unique architectural exterior stands out in the coastal city of Barcelona and is also its most well-known tourist attraction.

Construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882. As a church built as an act of atonement, its funding mainly relies on individual donations, and the amount donated directly affects the speed of the construction progress. Therefore, it remains unfinished to this day and is the only building in the world to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site while still under construction.

The architectural style of the Sagrada Família belongs to the local “Catalan Modernism” (Modernisme català, part of the Art Nouveau movement). There are a total of 18 towers; currently, 12 bell towers on the three façades — the east (Nativity Façade), west (Passion Façade), and south (Glory Façade) — have been completed, representing the Twelve Apostles. The six central towers of the church are not yet finished; these towers will represent the authors of the four Gospels, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ.