The Sagrada Familia is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona. This outstanding church was originally designed by Francisco de Paula del Villar and was meant to be neo gothic. However, a year after construction began in 1882, modernist architect, Antoni Gaudi took over and completely ignored the original plans!
Instead, he devoted his entire working life to designing a church that conformed to his trademark style of building, based upon forms that can be found in nature. Never content, Gaudi was forever changing the design and by the time of his death in 1926, only the nativity facade, one tower, the crypt and the apse were completed.
Construction has continued ever since with different architects trying to adhere to Gaudi’s spectacular vision, although there have been many controversial additions. Ultimately the church will have a total of 18 towers and will accommodate 13,000 people. Pay a visit to the museum and to the crypt where Gaudi is buried; and then, for an unsurpassed view of Barcelona you can visit the top of one of the towers.
