It's hard to find words to describe the beauty of La Sagrada Familia, a church being built in Barcelona, Spain. This unfinished masterpiece was designed by the legendary Antoni Gaudi. Many of Gaudi's works in Barcelona are considered masterpieces, but none of them compare to La Sagrada Familia for its fascinating history. Even though Gaud spent his final years working diligently on the project, it was obvious that he would not live to see its completion. It is expected to be completed in 2026, with the final phase of construction beginning this year.

La Sagrada Familia has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, despite the fact that it is still far from being finished. The building's innovative and artistic design by Gaud was a major factor in earning it this designation. There are two other things you should watch out for besides religious symbols. Before anything else, the interior pillars look like trees, and their shapes shift and morph as you look up, just like real trees. These pillars are supported by tortoises and turtles, emblematic of both land and water. After its completion, La Sagrada Familia will stand as Europe's tallest religious structure. The height of the main central tower will be 170 metres, exactly one metre shorter than the peak of Montjuc in Barcelona, which is also the highest point in the city.

Don't hesitate to buy La Sagrada Familia tickets if visiting it is on your list of things to do in the near future.Online ticket purchases allow you to conveniently and quickly skip the line to get into Sagrada Familia and take an audio tour of the large Basilica in the language of your choice. You discover the background of Gaudi's masterwork and its intricate design; climb to the top of the Passion or Nativity facade tower for a closer look at the facade's intricate details and unrivalled views of Barcelona. Other than these you can enjoy combos where you get to Park Güell skimming past the ticketing queues.

Seeing the enormous basilica for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you are a foreign tourist. It can take a long time if you have to wait in line and then try to navigate your way around the Sagrada Familia Towers. Avoiding this issue can be as simple as booking a guided tour through the La Sagrada Familia tickets. Your professional guide will arrange for the most convenient time and place for your excursion.

The History of Sagrada Familia is an extension to ongoing human history. Josep Maria Bocabella, a bookseller in the area, envisioned erecting a church dedicated to the Holy Family as a place of penance for sins. Construction on the neo-Gothic structure, commissioned by Bocabella and overseen by designer Francisco de Paula del Villar, got underway in 1882. Antoni Gaud replaced Bocabella on the project, but not before the two had several disagreements. Gaud came up with a revolutionary plan that defied the conventions of every architectural style at the time. To this end, Gaud designed the Sagrada Familia Facades to depict the Nativity, the Passion, and the Glory of Jesus. The architect's goal was to use natural symbolism in the building's structure, stained glass, and other decorative elements to convey Jesus's story and draw attention to pivotal events in the Bible's unfolding narrative. In 1891, when work began on the Nativity facade, Gaud realised that the Sagrada Familia was such a massive project that he would never live to see it finished. Gaud decided to begin work on the church's exterior before constructing the central nave out of concern that the project would be abandoned after his death, when the church would have acquired its worship function. After completing Casa Milà (La Pedrera) in 1912, Gaud devoted himself solely to the design of the Sagrada Familia. In 1926, after dedicating his life to the project, he passed away and was interred in the crypt he had built. Domènec Sugraes I Gras took over as principal architect after Gaudi's passing. During the Spanish Civil War (1936–39), anarchists burned down the temple, destroying a large portion of Gaud's studio in the process. The good news is that some of his data was recoverable, and later in 1954, construction was restarted which has continued to this day.

The Interiors of Sagrada Familia are just as breathtaking as the building's intricate exteriors. Gaudi's gothic naturalism architectural style is on full display in the basilica's interiors, which are also rich in religious symbolism and feature several elements inspired by nature.

• Catalan publisher Josep Maria Bocabella was greatly moved by the Vatican during a trip to Italy in 1872. When he got back to Barcelona, he put the wheels in motion for the Sagrada Familia project. When problems arose between Bocabella and the project's original architect, Francisco del Villar, Bocabella ultimately decided to hire Antoni Gaudi to finish the job.
• Antoni Gaudi, who devoted 43 years of his life as chief architect to this landmark, was laid to rest in the crypt of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Chapel.
• The completion of La Sagrada Familia, whose construction began in 1882, is anticipated to coincide with Gaudi's centennial in 2026. By the time it's done, 144 years will have passed, far longer than the time it took to construct the Great Pyramid of Giza or the Taj Mahal. It has been speculated that finishing the building could take until 2040.
• If all goes according to plan, the 170 m central tower of La Sagrada Familia (representing Jesus Christ) will make the Basilica the tallest religious structure in Europe.
• Crypt of Sagrada Familia was burned by anarchists in 1936, during the height of the Spanish Civil War. Because of this, the majority of the blueprints and building supplies were destroyed, leaving only enough for a full reconstruction of the plans.
• The Church (now a Basilica) was built so that it could be seen from anywhere in Barcelona. The light reflected from the glass windows at its highest points serves as navigational aids for sailors returning to port.
• All the facades represent various aspects of Jesus' life and teachings.