Sagrada Família

Why go

The Sagrada Família is the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family in Barcelona, founded by Josep Maria Bocabella and designed by Antoni Gaudí; it is built, preserved and restored by the Junta Constructora, which describes itself as a private, non-profit pious foundation. The basilica's history page says the cornerstone was laid on 19 March 1882, Gaudí took over the project in 1883, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church as a minor basilica in 2010, and construction still continues. The basilica's rules say tickets are nominative and that visitors must show a national ID card or passport to enter, that bags are checked at the entrance, and that the foundation may change itineraries or limit the spaces open to visitors for safety, works, weather or special events. Its worship page says the Archdiocese of Barcelona's international masses are free to attend with limited capacity, with entry from the Nativity façade on Carrer de la Marina. The basilica's history page says its Nativity façade and crypt were named UNESCO World Heritage in 2005; that designation covers part of the building and is not this record.