If the architectural style of the Sagrada Familia is impressive, no less impressive are the more than 100 sculptures that adorn the Basilica with great majesty. For the realization of the sculptures of the Sagrada Familia has required the contribution of many sculptors, many of them considered masters in this artistic discipline.
Names such as Josep María Subirachs, Etsuro Sotoo, Joan Matamala, Jaume Cases or Gaudí himself.are some of the masters involved in the sculptural work of the temple. And all of this, following a pattern established by Gaudí, inspired by the Liturgical Year as well as the Roman Missal. More than 130 years are being necessary to complete the whole iconographic ensemble and, while awaiting its completion, we will give a brief review of what has been done so far.
The sculptures inside
The interior of the temple is designed as a space for prayer and reflection. Because of this, Gaudí he did not want large altarpieces or ornamentation that might distract the faithful from their worship work. Hence, the non-existence of large altarpieces, nor to cause an abuse in sculptural decorations.
It is only possible to find 4 sculptures of the Sagrada Familia in its interior.. All of them are located marking a strategic and masterful route following the axes of the Basilica. Walking along the path from the Nativity door to the Passion door, 3 of them can be observed: The members of the Holy Family.
In the gallery next to the Nativity is St. Joseph and opposite, next to the Passion, the Virgin Mary. Both sculptures were made by Ramón Cuello, are made of travertine stone and have a similar height, one of 3 m and the other of 2.80 m respectively. In the middle of both, stands an imposing Jesus on the cross, known as the Christ of Baldaquino, work of Francesc Fajula and made of clay.
Finally, the fourth and last sculpture that we can find inside the Sagrada Familia is dedicated to the patron saint of Catalonia: St. George. 3 m high sculpture and made in bronze by SubirachsIt is located presiding over the temple and 9 m high on the railing of the balcony of the Jubé, on the facade of the Gloria.
Sculptures on the façades of Sagrada Familia
The sculptural works of the Sagrada Familia on the exterior are located on each of the three facades of the entrance to the temple. Most of them are located around the main doors and in each of the towers or bell towers, which all have sculptures dedicated to the different apostles located at a third of the height of the towers.
Façade of La Gloria
It is the most delayed facade of the three and is currently under construction. The portico is made up of 5 entrance doors to the interior and its sculptural ensemble will be dedicated to the theological virtues.hope, faith and charity. Above, there will be a frieze with Purgatory as the protagonist and at different heights, there will be sculptures paying homage to the lives of the men and their trades.
Passion façade
The Passion façade is dedicated to the Passion and death of Jesus. Its porch is formed by 6 columns and 3 entrance doors. All of this reflects the austerity and sobriety of Gaudí’s design, decorated by a masterful set of sculptures by Subirachs, which adds to the drama of the whole.
In its portico, you can observe the entire route of the Calvary of Jesus staged with several sculptural sets. All this is represented in 13 different scenes over 3 levels. If you start from the left and follow an S-shaped route, you will be able to see the entire Calvary scene, where the final act is the death and resurrection of Jesus. All of this is topped off by an impressive 5 m high sculpture of a Jesus ascending to heaven, located at 60 m and made by Subirachs in bronze.
Nativity façade
The Nativity façade is the only one built directly by Gaudí. Recently declared a World Heritage Site, it is made up of a portico in which numerous sculptures abound, alternating religious motifs with vegetal elements.. It is composed of 3 portals, of faith, hope and charity, where you can admire various sculptural motifs of the life of Jesus.
Most of the sculptures sculptures of the Sagrada Familia on the Nativity façade are designed by Gaudí and carried out by Matamala i Piñol, Carles Mani i Roig, Jaume Busquets and more recently by Joaquim Ros i Bofarull and Etsuro Sotoo.
All this sculptural journey that we have made through the Basilica serves to contemplate and understand the different sculptures of the Sagrada Família. sculptures of the Sagrada Familia. It is worth stopping to observe each of the facades and visualize in detail each of the works composed by the great master sculptors who have intervened, giving great beauty and symbolism to one of the most beautiful buildings that can be seen today in the world.
