Written by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei
La Sagrada Família, originally named the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family, was the lifelong dream of “God’s architect,” Gaudí.
La Sagrada Família was Gaudí’s lifelong aspiration and his most widely recognized work. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
Located in Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, La Sagrada Família is a non-Catholic church designed in the Catalan Modernism style. The term "Holy Family" refers to Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
Upon entering La Sagrada Família, one is immediately struck by the soaring height of the nave and its massive columns. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
Construction on La Sagrada Família began in 1882. After Gaudí took over, he dedicated 43 years of his life to building it—almost the entirety of his career. In 1914, he turned down all other projects to focus solely on the church, even moving into the construction site until his untimely death in 1926 following a traffic accident.
La Sagrada Família is still under construction and is expected to be completed in 2026. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
During the design process, Gaudí employed precise mathematical calculations and repeatedly used models to simulate the structure. Much of his inspiration came from nature—the nave’s arches resemble towering trees, and sunlight filters through the colorful stained glass windows, creating a highly symbolic architectural effect.
The interior columns and vaults resemble towering trees. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
As La Sagrada Família is a church built as an act of atonement, its funding relies entirely on private donations and ticket sales from the 2.5 million visitors it receives annually from around the world. As a result, the construction is still ongoing, with completion now projected for 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.
The stained glass windows inside the church create stunning, painting-like effects when illuminated by sunlight. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots / Mofei)
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