Symbolism in the Sagrada Famìlia

Abstract

In Barcelona's Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Famìlia, Antoni Gaudì aimed to create a church that was a true architectural representation of the Christian faith and worship. As yet, the church is less than half complete, and those elements which exist are often isolated examplars, devoid of the context which would enable their full interpretation. In order to appreciate the existing iconography, or to determine the appropriate form for any new work, it is necessary to understand the underlying symbolism. In this report a number of biblical, liturgical, historical and natural themes are explored, in order to determine how Gaudì intended these to be represented in the building. Many concepts are represented across the church, and often an architectural element may have several layers of meaning. In this report, it has been found possible to group these into several primary themes, and to trace these through the building. In doing so, several questions have emerged regarding current interpretations of the symbolism of the church. These are summarised as follows: It is suggested that the asymmetry of the Nativity facade towers, built by Gaudì, may have been symbolic of the distinction between those apostles who were disciples of Jesus, and the other apostles, and that possibly the Passion facade towers, built after Gaudì's death, may have been intended to be arranged symmetrically. The allocation of the four evangelists to the crossing towers which surround that of Christ, differ on various plans. The rationale is given for only one of these arrangements being correct. There are various arrangements given for some of the nave columns, dedicated to the dioceses of Catalonia and Spain, and the appropriate order suggested. It is shown that the allocation of ember days of the Christian calendar to the corners of the surrounding cloisters on the current plan of the symbolism of the church requires modification.