Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Spiral staircase
Right
Detail of doorway, Passion Façade
Key Sagrada Família Dates
!
1882
&
1936
The first stone of the Sagrada
Família is officially laid, with
architect Francesc del Villar
heading the project. Villar soon
resigns after disagreements with
the church's religious founders.
@
1883
The advent of the Spanish
Civil War brings construction of
the Sagrada Família to a halt for
some 20 years. During this time,
Gaudí's studio and the crypt in
the Sagrada Família are burned
by revolutionaries, who despise
the Catholic church for
siding with the nationalists.
*
1987-1990
The young, up-and-com-
ing Antoni Gaudí is com-
missioned as the principal
architect. He goes on to
devote the next 40 years
of his life to the project:
by the end he even lives
on the premises.
£
1889
Artist Josep Maria
Subirachs (b 1927) takes
to living in the Sagrada
Família just as his famous
predecessor did.
Subirachs completes the
statuary of the Passion
Façade. His angular,
severe and striking
sculptures draw both
criticism and praise.
(
2000
The crypt is complet-
ed, ringed by a series
of chapels, one of which
is later to house the
tomb of Gaudí.
$
1904
On 31 December,
the nave is at long last
declared complete.
)
2010-2030
The final touches are
made to the Nativity
Façade, which depicts
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
amid a chorus of angels.
%
1925
The vaults of the
crossing and the apse
underwent renovation
until 2010. The completion
of the entire Sagrada
Família is forecast for 2030,
though this depends largely on
funding. The building of the
Sagrada Família - as Gaudí
intended - relies on donations.
With so many paying visitors
pouring in daily, construction
work is gaining momentum.
The first of 18 bell
towers, 100 m (328 ft) in
height, is finished.
^
1926
Stained-glass window
On 10 June, Gaudí is killed
by a tram while crossing the
street near his beloved church.
No-one recognizes the city's
most famous architect.
10
For more on
Modernista
architecture
See pp32-3
