Sagrada Familia — Interior Part 1

Sagrada Familía Columns Colored by Light

Antoni Gaudí died in 1926 just fifteen days shy of what would have been his 74^th birthday. What is arguably his greatest design may finally be completed on the 100^th anniversary of his passing, and some 144 years after construction began. A completion date of 2026 is the hope, anyway, but that may unfortunately slip by as much as two years.

Sagrada Familía “Trees”

Stepping into the Sagrada Familía is a bit like walking through a forest. This is not by chance, as the columns reaching high overhead were specifically designed as a modernist interpretation of trees with outstretched branches.

Sagrada Familía Vaulted Ceiling

Even the stained glass serve multiple purposes. Not only do these magnificent windows let in light, they also splash a cacophony of color against the otherwise monotone “trees” supporting the vaulted ceiling above. Joan Vila-Grau has been designing, piecing together, and installing windows for the Sagrada Familía since 1999, and some fourteen years later he still has quite a ways to go before completing this project.

Sagrada Familía Stained Glass

Stained Glass Light Playing on Column

In fact, there is absolutely nothing about this structure that fails to impress. Even the stairways are remarkable in both their design and aesthetics.

Sagrada Familía Staircase

We’ll continue our tour of this incredible design in Part 2 on Wednesday Meanwhile, here is today’s photo gallery of the interior of the Sagrada Familía: