An Unfinished Masterpiece in 3D

Gaudí’s original design for the Sagrada Familia called for a total of 18 spires. These spires were to be built in ascending height order and were intended to represent the 12 apostles, the Virgin Mary, the 4 Evangelists and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ. The spires representing the apostles measure between 98m and 112m, the Virgin Mary’s spire reaches a height of 123m and those for the Evangelists reach 125m up into the sky.

A number of these spires have already been completed and work on most has begun, however, the final tower is yet to be built. The spire that Gaudí designed to represent Jesus Christ will climb to a lofty height of 170m, and make the Sagrada Familia the tallest church building in the world.

When complete, the imposing church will have three grand façades. These are known as the Nativity Façade, the Passion Façade and the Glory Façade. Built between 1894 and 1930, the Nativity Façade was the first to be completed, with work on the project taking place within Gaudí’s lifetime. The façade is covered in intricate carvings of scenes representing the life of Jesus and was intended to be the most accessible of the three. 

The Passion Façade is markedly different. With austere, imposing columns and lots of simple, unadorned stone, the façade is supposed to represent the suffering of Christ during the crucifixion. The façade was constructed according to Gaudí’s plans in the second half of the 20^th century and is arguably the most dramatic element of the church’s exterior.  

The third and final façade, known as the Glory Façade, is yet to be completed. The largest and most striking of the three, work on the façade began in 2002 and was originally slated for completion in 2023. When it is complete, this highly decorative façade will be covered with sculptures depicting the 7 deadly sins, demons, idols, false gods, heresy and schisms. It will also offer access to the central nave and provide a dramatic entrance to the spectacular interior.     

For the vast majority of the church’s construction, the site hasn’t had a permit. In fact, the first permit for the build was only issued in 2019, 137 years after work first began.