One Page. Sagrada Familia - Basilica in Barcelona

From Stamps of the World

Sagrada Familia - Basilica of the Holy Family

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The Basílica de la Sagrada Família (Basílica de la Sagrada Familia) "Basilica of the Holy Family", also known as the Sagrada Família, is a large unfinished Roman Catholic minor basilica in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Designed by Spanish/Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), his work on the building is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Introduction

On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica. On 19 March 1882, construction of the Sagrada Família began under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned, Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the crypt.

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At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete. Chief architect Jordi Fauli announced in October 2015 that construction is 70 percent complete and has entered its final phase of raising six immense steeples. The steeples and most of the church's structure are to be completed by 2026, the centennial of Gaudí's death; as of a 2017 estimate, decorative elements should be complete by 2030 or 2032


Antoni Gaudi

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Antoni Gaudí i Cornet (25 June 1852 – 10 June 1926) was a Catalan architect known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism. Gaudí's works have a highly individualized, "sui generis" style. Most are located in Barcelona, including his main work, the church of the Sagrada Família.

Death

On 7 June 1926, Gaudí was taking his daily walk to the Sant Felip Neri church for his habitual prayer and confession. While walking along the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes between Girona and Bailén streets, he was struck by a passing number 30 tram and lost consciousness. Assumed to be a beggar, the unconscious Gaudí did not receive immediate aid. Eventually some passers-by transported him in a taxi to the Santa Creu Hospital, where he received rudimentary care. Gaudí died on 10 June 1926 at the age of 73 and was buried two days later.

Postage stamps from Spain

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Postage stamps from other countries

France
Hungary
Mozambique

Miscellaneous

A 10-Euro Coin was issued in Spain in 2004.
A 0-Euro souvenir "banknote" was issued in 2019.

The future

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Complete design: In this model, parts already built are shown in brown/grey (2019). When finished La Sagrada Familia will have 18 spires - one for every evangelist, one for every apostle and two, towering above the rest, representing Mary and Jesus.

La Sagrada Familia as a remarkable building in the City of Barcelona

Notes

1. Illustrations and informations have all been taken from various websites on the Internet.

2. Compiled by Toon Oomens, Terneuzen (The Netherlands), April 2021.

3. Thank you for visiting!