Philatelic Photograph: The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia - Barcelona, Spain

The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia

Barcelona 

Cataluña, Spain

N 41° 24.235 E 002° 10.488

Short Description: 

The Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic Basilica that's the signature feature of the city of Barcelona. It is located at Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain.

Long Description:

Sagrada Familia Basilica is architect Antoni Gaudi's uncompleted, Art Nouveau, tour de force. Construction began on March 19, 1882. At the time of Gaudi's accidental death 1926 the northeast façade's Nativity towers were complete. Since that time the four Passion towers of the southwest façade have been built. Gaudí's originally planned for eighteen towers, representing in ascending order of height the Twelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and Jesus Christ. The completed towers corresponding to four apostles at the Nativity façade and four apostles at the Passion façade. Thus, eight of eighteen towers are now complete.

Sagrada Familia's construction was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War and has been hindered by the lack of funds. Progress resumed 1950s. It is hoped that the Basilica would be complete for the centenary of Gaudí's death in 2026. Sagrada Familia Basilica has become the signature and must visit feature of the City of Barcelona.

Gaudí's work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stamp issued by France in 2015 commemorated this World Heritage Site status.