Sagrada Familia

History, art, architecture

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About the book the Sagrada Familia

Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2005, the basilica of the Sagrada Familia is the most recognisable symbol of the city of Barcelona whilst constituting the main testimony of the overflowing creativity of Antoni Gaudí, considered one of the most important architects in history.

Gaudí dedicated the last 43 years of his life to the construction of the Sagrada Familia, in such a way that the temple –planned to be the highest building in Barcelona– is a compendium of all the technical solutions and symbolic ideas that the architect developed during his long professional career.

Using all his creative ingenuity, Gaudí managed to surpass the limitations of the Gothic style in order to create an architectural masterpiece, which perfectly combines functionalism and religious worship to convert into the perfect temple.

This paperback covers the essential aspects of the Sagrada Familia, providing information about the origins of the project and showing the different parts of the temple. Within its pages, the book also explores the complex symbolism that characterised this monument, designed by Gaudí as a link between heaven and earth.

Pocket Edition

Sagrada Familia

  • It includes exclusive digital content
  • Made with environmentally friendly paper
  • Official licensed product
  • Multilanguage: Available in 8 languages

About the book the Sagrada Familia

Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2005, the basilica of the Sagrada Familia is the most recognisable symbol of the city of Barcelona whilst constituting the main testimony of the overflowing creativity of Antoni Gaudí, considered one of the most important architects in history.

Gaudí dedicated the last 43 years of his life to the construction of the Sagrada Familia, in such a way that the temple –planned to be the highest building in Barcelona– is a compendium of all the technical solutions and symbolic ideas that the architect developed during his long professional career.

Using all his creative ingenuity, Gaudí managed to surpass the limitations of the Gothic style in order to create an architectural masterpiece, which perfectly combines functionalism and religious worship to convert into the perfect temple.

This paperback covers the essential aspects of the Sagrada Familia, providing information about the origins of the project and showing the different parts of the temple. Within its pages, the book also explores the complex symbolism that characterised this monument, designed by Gaudí as a link between heaven and earth.
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Additional Information

  • Additional Information
  • Subtitle: History, art, architecture
  • Weight (g): 185
  • Binding: Paperback with flaps
  • Size (cm): 17,5 x 19,5
  • Author: Dosde
  • Pages: 0
  • Edition: Pocket Edition
  • language
  • Spanish
  • English
  • French
  • Italian
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Russian
  • Chinese
  • Catalan
  • Portuguese
  • Korean
  • isbn
  • 978-84-9103-202-1
  • 978-84-9103-203-8
  • 978-84-9103-204-5
  • 978-84-9103-205-2
  • 978-84-9103-206-9
  • 978-84-9103-279-3
  • 978-84-9103-280-9
  • 978-84-9103-281-6
  • 978-84-9103-282-3
  • 978-84-9103-283-0
  • 978-84-9103-284-7
  • sku
  • 30-007-00
  • 30-007-01
  • 30-007-02
  • 30-007-03
  • 30-007-04
  • 30-007-05
  • 30-007-06
  • 30-007-07
  • 30-007-08
  • 30-007-09
  • 30-007-10

The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia, a great stone bible

Gaudí took charge of the building work in 1883, which he combined with his other projects. However, in the year 1914 he decided to dedicate himself exclusively to the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.

Propelled by his craving for perfection, the architect became more and more knowledgeable about religion whilst his faith grew even stronger. Gaudí converted into an expert on liturgical themes, which is evident throughout the temple, devising Sagrada Familia as if it were a large stone bible where the history and mysteries of the Christian faith are told.

In this regard, the exterior of the basilica represents the Church, by means of the Apostles, the Evangelists, the Virgin and the Saints; the cross that tops the main tower symbolises the triumph of Jesus’ church; the façades relate the three key moments in Christ’s life –his birth, death and resurrection and glory–.

The Nativity façade is the only part of the basilica that Gaudí totally designed and which he got to see almost finished, and explains the episodes related to the conception, birth, childhood and adolescence of Jesus. As for the Passion façade, it was designed without adornment, to be stark and restrained in order to convey the severi-ty of Jesus's sacrifice. On the naked lines of the walls twelve sculptural groups stand out whose purpose is to explain the hours that passed between the Last Supper and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The inside of the Sagrada Familia refers to the Universal Church and the transept, to the Celestial Jerusalem. Gaudí wanted to convert the inside of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia into a large forest in which the structure of columns, vaults and roofs would work by imitating trees. This innovative solution was designed to create a transcendental atmosphere appropriate for prayer and meditation. Gaudí managed to combine his faith and his artistic genius to transform the Sagrada Familia into a universal masterpiece.


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