La Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic Basilica designed in 1882 primarily by architect Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí is best known for using an artistic style that is inspired by nature and religion, two central pillars in his life. These values connect with Carrollton because Sacred Heart education emphasizes faith and the appreciation of God’s beauty in nature. This links Gaudí and our school on a spiritual level.
So, who was Gaudí?
When Gaudí was six years old, he developed arthritis, which prohibited him from participating in physical activities. Because of this, he spent most of his time at home, observing and analyzing nature. He admired nature’s curves, arches, and intricate designs, leading him to believe that God is the ultimate, perfect architect. His Catholic family encouraged him to use his artistic talents to bring others closer to God. He assumed the role of designing La Sagrada Familia after the original architect, Fransisco del Villar y Lozano resigned.
Symbolism in La Sagrada Familia
When Gaudí took control of the project, he decided to redesign it completely to reflect God’s beauty in nature and portray Jesus’ life story through its symbolic architecture. He planned to build eighteen towers: twelve to represent the apostles, four to symbolize the gospel writers, one for the Virgin Mary, and another one for Jesus Christ. Gaudí wanted this tower to be the tallest at 172.5 meters, but still shorter than the 173 meter high Montjuïc hill, to recognize that God’s work was superior to his.
He also avoided using straight lines and 90-degree angles in his architecture to honor nature’s twisting geometry. The ceiling of the basilica is held up by pillars that form an arc at the top, mirroring tree branches, while the stained glass windows, filled with the colors of the rainbow, reflect the light shed at sunset. The eastern façade commemorates the Nativity while the western façade portrays the Passion, and the southern façade is planned to represent Christ’s glory and honor. This is still under construction and is expected to be completed this year.
“Mi Familia”
While most know the church as La Sagrada Familia because it tells the story of the holy family, Gaudí referred to it as “Mi Familia” because he dedicated his entire life to its construction, developing a deep bond to the basilica and treating it as if it was part of his family.
