Barcelona´s modernism

A monument that can not be seen only as an architectual monument but more like a gigantic sculpure work of art done by Gaudí; and this is actually the way many people see this magnificent building.

It is located between the Sardenya, Marina, Provenza and Mallorca streets. It started originally as an expiatory temple back in 1882 when the first construction works began.
The original architect was "Francisco de Paula del Villar i Lozano" a diocesan architect wich directed back then the "Escuela Provincial de Barcelona".

But serious discutions between this stubborn architect and the work´s consultant "Joan Martorell" had as a result the resignation of the first and the necesary search of a new architect. Antonio Gaudí accepted the challenge.On the 3th. of november of 1883 he firmed his first paper as the former in charge chief of project and in december of the same year he signed the first project for the Holy Family; The St. José Cript´s altar.
First years of work were hard years due to the lack of money and the construction jobs were slow.


One curious detail is that the "Propagador" does not mention Gaudí name until many years after.
This imponent building has 4 main towers and there is a lift to climb up to one of them.



Today one can see the restauration labors taken place there.
Gaudí also got to finish the "Facada de Neixement"
Here is a museum also, a place where one can see the way the building looked in the very beggining, then its gradual evolution to its actual form (unfinish of course), there is also many scale representations of diferent parts of the building and some of this architect´s genialities and ideas.
Here one can understand how this architect changed the way we look today at Barcelona.

Visiting hours:
October to march: 09:00 to 18:00 hours
April to september: 09:00 to 20:00 hours
Tel: 93 - 2073031   Fax: 93 - 4761010
More information can also be found
www.sagradafamilia.org
@mail: informa@sagradafamilia.org