Sagrada Família

The Sagrada Família is a large Roman Catholic basilica in the Eixample district of Barcelona, designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day, making it one of the longest-running building projects in the world.

The exterior features two principal façades that differ markedly in style and symbolism. The Nativity façade, largely completed during Gaudí's lifetime, is covered in figurative sculpture depicting scenes from the birth of Christ. The Passion façade, by contrast, takes a starker, more angular approach to its biblical subject matter.

Inside, the nave is defined by branching stone columns designed to resemble a forest canopy. The stained-glass windows are arranged so that cooler blues and greens fill the western side while warmer ambers and reds dominate the east, producing shifting patterns of coloured light across the interior throughout the day.