The building of the Basilica began in 1882. It is in neo-gothic style.
Neo-gothic art was the expression of the Christian vision of the world; neo-gothic churches and cathedrals developed in height because they had to show the meaning of people's life which was to tend to God.
A year later the project was assigned to Gaudì. Gaudì died in 1926 leaving the project unfinished.
However thanks to the project that has been preserved, Gaudì's dream is still going on; the work of other experts architects and builders is being brought about by donations and incomes from visitors.
The Sagrada Familia is a temple of religious symbolism.
Until now only 8 out of the 18 towers designed by Gaudì have been erected; in his original idea he dedicated 12 towers to the apostles, 4 to the evangelists, 1 to Maria and 1 to Jesus.
The towers have a different height depending on the religious hierarchy that they represent.
The Basilica has 3 facades full of architectural elements, each one with a symbolic meaning.
The nativity facade is the main, largest and monumental one; it's dedicated to the birth of Christ.
On the other side the passion facade offers the representation of the agony of Christ on the cross.
The glory facade is the barest one and it rapresents death, judgment, glory and hell.
To design the interior, Gaudì, was inspired by the forms of nature, creating columns in the shape of tree trunks, which give you the impression of a huge forest made of stone.
The plan of the basilica is a latin cross with an altar above the tomb surrounded by 7 chaples in the apse.
The stained glass windows have cool colours on the side facing east and warm colours on the side facing west.