The Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona captivates with its intricate design. Its sandcastle-like spires and carved stone flora create an awe-inspiring atmosphere. Even those who visit regularly, like Josep Turull, find themselves amazed by its wonders. As the Catalan rector, Turull recently shared some hidden gems of the basilica ahead of a Mass led by Pope Leo XIV.
Enigmatic Facades
The basilica’s facades are rich with religious scenes and symbols, some straightforward and others puzzling. The Passion Façade, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, embodies the anguish of Christ’s last days. It features figures in stark, angular poses. Decades later, sculptor Josep Subirachs introduced playful elements, such as a depiction of Gaudí watching Jesus carry the cross, and a numbered grid. This ‘magic square’ represents the inevitability of Christ’s death; any direction you add the numbers, they total 33, Jesus’s age at his crucifixion. Nearby, a labyrinth alludes to maintaining faith when feeling lost.
Nature’s Presence
After Mass, the Pope plans to bless the Tower of Jesus Christ, which made Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world. The basilica’s heights burst with natural elements, including a sculpted rooster and fruit-topped spires. There’s also a family of peregrine falcons nesting in the St. James tower. The falcons, part of a reintroduction program, deter pigeons. They have been successfully breeding at the basilica for over two decades.
Gaudí’s Crypt
The true spiritual heart of the Sagrada Familia lies underground. Through a modest entrance, visitors descend to a small chapel where few worshippers attend Mass. Here rests Gaudí, entombed in a simple nook. He died 100 years ago after being struck by a streetcar. Many visitors pray at his tomb, hoping for his intercession. The Vatican progresses on a process that might canonize Gaudí. Pope Francis named him ‘venerable’ in 2025. Further miracles are required for his sainthood.
The Seashell Basin
Before ascending, Turull highlights a real seashell incorporated into the basilica as a holy water basin. Gaudí sourced the seashell from the Philippines, crafting it into the design with wrought iron. Gaudí’s architecture often took inspiration from nature.
The Pope’s Changing Room
A sunlit private room houses intricately designed oak cabinets crafted by Gaudí. Here are stored the basilica’s most precious relics and clerical clothing, including a chasuble worn by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. Pope Leo will don a specially made chasuble for the upcoming Mass. The design, featuring elements symbolizing the day, remains a secret for now.
AP videojournalist Hernán Muñoz contributed to this report.