Sagrada Familia | A dream of all humanity, an architectural epic through time

"The Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's gift to God, is the dream of countless architects and also a dream of all humanity." "One of the greatest buildings in human history" "A miracle in architectural history" "An unfinished monument" The full name of the Sagrada Familia is "Basilica of the Holy Family", referring to the family of Jesus. Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and is still not completed. Although unfinished, it has been endowed with much praise and is the only building in the world that has been listed as a World Heritage Site before its completion. I think I will never forget the shock that hit me all at once. The genius architect Gaudí took charge of the construction of the Sagrada Familia at the age of 31 and devoted his life to it. In 1926, Gaudí died in a traffic accident, having completed less than a quarter of it by the last moment of his life. Later architects continued the construction of the Sagrada Familia based on Gaudí's manuscripts and models, and it is expected to be completed in 2026, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death Gaudí designed three facades for the Sagrada Familia, symbolizing the three most important stages of Jesus' life: birth, passion, and resurrection. Each facade has four bell towers, representing the twelve apostles of Jesus. There are six more towers in the center, four of which represent the authors of the four Gospels in the Bible, surrounded by one representing Jesus' mother, the Virgin Mary, and another taller one representing Jesus Christ. Once this bell tower is completed, the total height of the Sagrada Familia will be 172.5 meters, making it the tallest church in the world. The Nativity Facade was personally designed and completed by Gaudí during his lifetime, and is the work in the Sagrada Familia that most reflects Gaudí's personal style, telling the story from Mary's conception to Jesus' growth. The Passion Facade was built by later architects and sculptors based on Gaudí's manuscripts and models, showing the scene of Jesus' passion The Glory Facade represents the resurrection and ascension of Jesus and is still under construction The intricate carvings and complex details on each door and pillar of the entire church are already breathtaking. Inside the church, there is an epic dialogue between light and architectural history. Without a single colored light, there is warm and bright holy light everywhere Walking into the church is like entering a fantasy forest, with the church pillars resembling tree trunks, growing several branches upwards, supporting the huge vault. Sunlight streams through the colored glass windows on both sides, one side is composed of cool tones of blue, cyan, and purple, and the other side is composed of warm tones of orange, fiery red, and yellow, half ocean, half flame, just like Jesus, whom the Catholic Church believes in, is "the living water of life", is "the light of the world". Today, the Sagrada Familia represents not just an architectural style, but also a cultural heritage and historical legacy. It showcases the cultural confidence and artistic pursuit of a nation, a people, and even all of humanity.