The Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is a huge church in Barcelona, Spain. It was designed by a famous architect named Antoni Gaudi. Construction began in 1882 and is still not finished! The building's towers and decorations look like they came from a fairy tale or a dream.

Gaudi's Vision

Antoni Gaudi spent over 40 years of his life working on the Sagrada Familia. He got many of his ideas from nature. The columns inside look like giant trees, and the ceiling looks like a forest canopy. Gaudi knew he would not live to see it finished. He said, 'My client is not in a hurry,' meaning God could wait.

Still Under Construction

When it is finished, the Sagrada Familia will have 18 towers. The tallest will be about 560 feet high. Modern computers and 3D printers are helping builders finish what Gaudi started. Millions of visitors tour the church every year even though it is still a construction site. The builders hope to finish it in the coming years.

Fun Facts

• Gaudi is buried inside the Sagrada Familia, in a chapel below the building.
• The church has three grand entrances, each telling a different part of the life of Jesus.
• During the Spanish Civil War, rebels broke into Gaudi's workshop and destroyed many of his original plans.

Did You Know?

The Sagrada Familia will have taken longer to build than the Great Pyramids of Egypt. The pyramids took about 20 years, but the Sagrada Familia has been under construction for more than 140 years!