A Sincere Apology to La Sagrada Familia from a Skeptic

Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on August 16, 2022.

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On our recent visit to Barcelona, there was one attraction I had no interest in seeing.  In fact, you could say that I was dreading going but knew that as a thorough travel writer I would have to eventually. 

That attraction was Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia cathedral, and I am happy to report that everything I had ever thought about the still-being-built church was dead wrong. 

That horribly ugly looking building is actually quite a beautiful sight indeed and is probably the best of what there is to see in Barcelona!

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La Sagrada Familia Stained Glass in Barcelona, Spain

To be fair, my knowledge of La Sagrada Familia was pretty limited prior to arriving in Barcelona. 

The most I knew about the church was that it is still in construction well over 100 years after the first stone was laid.  In fact, completion of the church is not even anticipated for at least another 20 years. 

As an engineer and someone who lives and breathes efficient designs everyday, I can only just think of “get on with it” when hearing about it. 

In this day and age, there should be no reason why a church cannot be completed in only a few years pending any major financing issues (and after seeing the prices they charge to enter and line to get in, this should be their last concern).

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Then there is the facade.  Seriously? When all I ever saw was small photos on the internet of a building that looks like a sand castle surrounded by a dozen cranes.  The only thing I ever thought to myself was that it was one of the ugliest looking churches I've ever seen in my life. 

That is, until I actually saw it in real life!

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La Sagrada Familia Organ and Stained Glass Lighting in Barcelona, Spain

Approaching the cathedral from the streets presents a view much like the hundreds of photos everyone has seen on the internet. 

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“Oh boy, here goes” I thought. 

But as we approached and the building's size became apparent, all negative thoughts were washed away. 

That sand castle looking design is actually very detailed. In fact, it is all detail. Every inch of the facade has a very specific design, statute, or carving that rivals most of Europe's oldest and most popular cathedrals. And then you go inside!

La Sagrada Familia under construction in Barcelona, Spain

The inside of La Sagrada Familia is unlike anything you've ever seen before in a church. 

Sure, there are tall columns, vaulted ceilings, beautiful organs, and stained glass everywhere like all other cathedrals; but these are new!  Surprising that this is the highlight?  Well, we were too! 

When all other churches in Europe are up to 1,000 years old or more, everything inside La Sagrada Familia is new!

Our personal highlight on the inside of La Sagrada Familia was the stained glass windows. Simple compared to the beautiful designs that Gaudi put together, but something I've never seen before – new stained glass in a church!  Bright, vibrant, and very colorful; these stained glass panes are absolutely astounding. 

A few are so new that massive window is completely full of stained glass, and the next one is still empty; presumably waiting for its installation.

La Sagrada Familia Organ and Stained Glass Lighting in Barcelona, Spain

Still, some of the art pieces in the cathedral are a bit over the top, but they seem to fit into the overall plan quite nicely. 

For that, I must give my heartfelt apology to La Sagrada Familia.  I had you completely mistaken, and for that I am sorry. 

If you ever do get completed, you can rest assured we will be there on opening day waiting to hear the thousands of organ pipes and choir in full glory!

Looking to go to La Sagrada Familia? Grab skip the line tickets or a Barcelona day tour including La Sagrada Familia with Take Walks!

About Jeremy

Jeremy from Living the Dream

About the Author: Jeremy is a full-time travel writer based in Pittsburgh and primary author of this site. He has been to 70+ countries on five continents and seeks out new food, adventure activities, and off-the-beaten-path experiences wherever he travels.

6 thoughts on “A Sincere Apology to La Sagrada Familia from a Skeptic”

  1. Love this!! This is exactly how I felt when I went to Barcelona, now because of this grand Cathedral, I am Gaudi obsessed. Great post

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  2. I love your comparison of the Sagrada Familia to a sandcastle, I’d never thought of it like that but it looks just like one! As an expat living in Barcelona, I get to see the Sagrada Familia quite a lot and never get tired of it.

    The prices are definitely the biggest downside, but then again, how many times do you get the chance to see something like this being built?

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  3. When Gaudi was asked for the deadline and everyone yelled in shock when he gave it, he only said : “my client is not in a hurry”. He’s still right today.

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  4. @Lisa – Exactly right! I have seen pretty much the biggest churches you could name in all of Western Europe, ancient temples in the Middle East, and modern temples in Asia. La Sagrada Familia is in a league of it’s own

    @Martin – I think I could ignore all facts to it being a working place of worship and enjoy the building just for it’s design. In fact, if I would have looked at it like that from the first place I may not have had the initial problem I wrote about. But now, wow!

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  5. I’m glad you came to your senses Gaudi’s masterpiece is certainly inspiring. I’m glad you gave Sagrada Familia a chance. It trully is an architectual masterpiece.

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  6. Gosh it looks amazing! When I was in England I vistied as many churches as I could. There is something magical about Stained Windows!
    La Sagrada sounds incredible.

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