The Nativity façade o Natividad, also called de Levante, was the only one built under the direction of Gaudí’s works. Dedicated to the birth of Jesus, it was the first of the three facades to be erected in order to present admiration and to be able to collect the necessary donations for the construction of the Sagrada Familia.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the façade of the Nativity façade is located on Marina Street and its lower level is composed of a portico with 3 portals of access to the temple dedicated to the theological virtues: faith, hope and charity.
Like the rest of the facades of the Sagrada Familia, there are 4 towers dedicated to the apostles and right in the center of them, located above the main door, we can see a cypress crowned with a classic T-shaped cross representing the tree of life.
The portico of the Nativity façade
The Nativity portico is designed with a wide iconography that alternates religious figures representing the birth of Jesus with plant species symbolizing life. Being the only one that gave Gaudí time to build, it serves as a stimulus and guide to the different architects who took the direction of the works for the execution of the various facades of the Sagrada Familia.
The portico, baroque in design, is in turn divided by three doors; the door of Hope on the left, Charity in the center and Faith on the right.. The portals are separated by columns dedicated to Joseph and Mary, both ending in the form of a palm tree with angels playing trumpets. Its bases are formed by the shell of a turtle, a sea turtle and a land turtle, symbolizing the inalterability of time.
Portal of Hope
It is the most located on the left and has an access door to the temple much smaller than the central one. It is the portal dedicated to St. JosephThe statue is presided over by a statue with the baby Jesus standing. Throughout the portal, different scenes can be observed, such as those corresponding to the betrothal of the Virgin Mary or the flight to Egypt.
All surrounded by Egyptian flora and fauna such as geese, geese and ducks. The portico is topped with a pinnacle depicting Montserrat and above it the betrothal of St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary.
Charity Portal
Located in the center, it is the largest and the one that presides over the façade of the Nativity façade. And of course, the central and most important one is dedicated to Jesus. It simulates the entire Bethlehem portal, containing scenes such as the Adoration of the Kings, the Annunciation or the Coronation of Mary. Surrounded by elements that magnify the nativity, such as the star of Bethlehem and musical angels with numerous instruments.
The portal is divided by two doors separated by a column representing the family tree of Jesus. At its base, you can see the snake biting the apple and on the capital is located the group of the Nativity, work of Busquets. Also, we can admire the Choir of the Children’s Angels, restored by Etsuro Sotoo, a work that was damaged in the Civil War.restored by Etsuro Sotoo, a work that was damaged during the Civil War.
Faith Portal
Located to the right of the portico, it is the same size as that of the Esperanza, thus providing perfect symmetry to the façade. Nativity façade. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and as a tribute to the mother of Jesus, you can find related scenes such as the Visitation, the Immaculate Conception or Jesus working as a carpenter among others.
The belfries or towers
Like any other facade of the Sagrada FamiliaIt has four towers destined to the apostles. In the case of the Nativity, the apostles represented are St. Simon, St. Barnabas, St. Matthias and St. John Thaddeus. They are square at the base, rising as they curve, ending in a bishop’s crozier at its highest end.
The lateral ones have a height of 98 m, and the central ones rise up to 107 m in height. All of them are accessible by means of helical staircases and contains 60 bells capable of being heard up to 3 km away, due to the stone louvers that are distributedThe stone louvers are distributed throughout the church and amplify the acoustics of the bell towers.
The sculptors of the Nativity façade
The Nativity façade, being the only one built directly by Gaudí, presents a large number of scenographies designed by the architect himself and sculpted by Matamala i Piñol.. Examples of these are sculptures such as the Trumpeter Angels, the Flight from Egypt, St. Joseph and the Infant Jesus or the Immaculate Conception.
However, other sculptors have also been involved, such as Jaume Busquets (The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary or the central group of the Nativity), Joaquim Ros i Bofarull (Adoration of the Kings and Adoration of the Shepherds) or Etsuro Sotoo himself with the Choir of the Child Angels.
The Nativity façade is a beautiful hymn to life and creation that represents the birth of Jesus. And it should be contemplated with admiration, since it was the only one that Gaudí had time to direct and to capture all his genius as it was being erected. And that is why it is a World Heritage Site, the perfect culmination that magnifies one of the best architects in history.
