Map of Sagrada Familia

At first glance, Sagrada Familia is hard to discover. Rest assured! This article will take you through the basilica’s interior and exterior layout.

From the three symbolic facades to the sky-piercing towers, we’ll make sure you don’t miss a detail. 

We’ll also explore the several entrances and navigate the gorgeous interiors, which include forest-like columns and stunning stained glass windows.

Why Do You Need a Map?

If you’re particularly interested in visiting a certain feature like a choir or the museum, a quick map reference will be helpful.

Visiting with a big group or someone who requires accessibility? A blueprint in hand will help you plan your path and guarantee that everyone can navigate the room safely.

It offers you a sense of the scale and notable aspects of the Sagrada Familia, allowing you to plan how you want to spend your time inside.

Layout of the Sagrada Familia

While you can download a layout of the Basilica, it might be confusing for a first-time visitor.

This guide will help you understand the layout of the entrances and the inside and outside of the Basilica in detail.

The Exterior

As you approach the Sagrada Familia, you will be awestruck by the building’s facade, overflowing with intricate details and symbolism, unfolding before you.

The Three Facades

The Sagrada Familia has three grand façades, each of which represents a crucial milestone in Jesus Christ’s life.

The Nativity Façade

The Nativity façade is on the east side, facing the rising Sun.

You can recognize it by seeing the nativity scenes with playful angels, animals symbolizing the Evangelists, and a tall nativity doorway highlighted with beautiful sculptures.

Theme: Birth of Jesus Christ
Highlights:
Tree of Life: A mighty cypress reaching toward the heavens symbolizes eternal life and Christ’s connection to nature.
Three Portals: Each dedicated to a theological virtue: Faith (left), Hope (center), and Charity (right).
Decorations: Sculptures depict scenes from Jesus’ birth, the nativity story, and the Adoration of the Magi.
Light Show: During the holiday season, the facade comes alive with a magical light show.

The Passion Façade

The Passion façade is on the west side, facing the setting Sun.

You can identify the façade by seeing the portrayals of Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion in the detailed sculptures.

Theme: The Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Highlights:
Stark Contrast: Bare stone and straight lines create a stark contrast to the Nativity Facade, reflecting the suffering of Christ.
Four Facades: Each divided into three sections depicting scenes from the Last Supper, the Arrest of Jesus, the Flagellation, the Crowning with Thorns, the Way to Calvary, the Crucifixion, and the Burial.
Abstract Sculptures: Elongated figures and expressive faces convey the emotional intensity of the Passion.
A Crown of Thorns: On the top of the central portal, a massive sculpture of a crown of thorns serves as a powerful symbol.

The Glory Façade

The Sagrada Familia’s main façade is on the south side and is still under construction. It will show the details of faith, hope, and charity.

Theme: Glory of Jesus Christ and the Afterlife
Highlights:
Currently Under Construction: While not yet completed, Gaudí’s plans envisioned a facade filled with light and triumphant scenes.
Central Portal: Dedicated to Jesus Christ in his Glory.
Lateral Portals: Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph.
Symbols of Salvation: Elements like angels and trumpets will likely represent themes of salvation and eternal life.

A Forest of Towers

The Sagrada Familia’s greatest glory is its collection of spires, which resemble a fanciful forest soaring for the skies. Each spire represents a distinct meaning:

The Twelve Apostles: These twelve spires of varied heights symbolize the twelve disciples who spread Jesus’ teachings.

Four Evangelists: Look for four spires embellished with sculptures of the Evangelist symbols of a winged figure (Matthew), a lion (Mark), an ox (Luke), and an eagle (John).

The Virgin Mary: A dedicated spire taller than the Apostles’ will be capped with a star to represent Mary’s significance in Christianity.

Jesus Christ: The highest tower will be dedicated to Jesus Christ and crowned with a large cross, symbolizing his victory over death.

The Entrances

The Sagrada Familia has three approved entrance locations.

Each entry is tailored to satisfy visitor’s demands, guaranteeing a pleasant and orderly experience.

To access the entrances, you need to have any of the following tickets:

Sagrada Familia Tickets	Adult (18+ years) Ticket price
Entry Ticket	€34
Skip-the-line Entry Ticket	€54
Guided Tour	€55

Let’s look at these access points and see who can utilize them.

General Entrance

The majority of people enter through this door, which is positioned on the right side of the Nativity Façade and faces Carrer de la Marina.

You can find the Nativity Façade by looking at the sculptures, which are embellished with beautiful representations of Jesus’ birth.

Solo travelers and small groups can enter the Basilica through this entrance.

You can also find the signs directing to the general entrance.

Group Entrance

This entry is on the left side of the Nativity Façade, is designed for guided tours for large groups and offers speedier entry than the general entrance, especially during high season.

This entry is also designed for pre-registered school visits. You can follow the signs for the Group Entrance.

Entrance for School Visits

This entry, on the other side of the Sagrada Familia, on Carrer de la Sarenza, is only open to pre-registered school groups for educational trips.

Look for special signs or ask your school’s tour guide for directions.

The Interiors

Here’s a detailed guide to navigating the Sagrada Familia’s interior layout, ensuring you don’t miss a single wonder:

Columns and Soaring Heights

As you enter the Basilica, you will see the main nave, tree-like columns, known as arboriform columns, branching out towards the ceiling like a forest canopy.

The Five Naves

The Sagrada Familia boasts five naves, each with its own distinct specialty:

The Central Nave: The central nave is the highest and widest, standing 45 meters tall and 15 meters broad. It lies in the center of the basilica, creating a cross and connecting to the transept.

Four Side Naves: Each side nave is 7.5 meters wide and 30 meters high. They run parallel to the central nave.

The Apse

There are seven chapels in the apse dedicated to prayer and reflection.

The chapel behind the altar at the eastern end of the central nave is the great altar, decorated by the bright lights of stained-glass windows representing events from Christ’s Passion and Resurrection.

The Crypt

The crypt, where Gaudí rests after his death, is under the church. It contains the Nativity Façade’s original gateway.

The Stairways

The Sagrada Familia has two major stairs to ascend, depending on which tower you choose to access: the Nativity Façade or the Passion Façade.

Both involve using an elevator up and then descending steps. Here’s the breakdown for each:

Nativity Façade Staircase

You can find it easily if you look for the designated staircase exit after exiting the elevator.

You’ll find a wider staircase with a handrail on one side.

Passion Façade Staircase

This staircase is more challenging and requires more attention to find.

After exiting the elevator, you should look for the designated staircase exit.

You’ll see a narrow, spiral staircase with a wall on the outside and limited openings on the interior wall. There’s no handrail on the outside of the staircase.

The Museum

It lies on the ground floor of the Church. You can enter the Museum after entering through the General Entrance of the Sagrada Familia, located on the Nativity Facade side.

You can go around the Museum easily as there are no complex paths.

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Featured Image: Sagradafamilia.org