The Sagrada Família is one of Barcelona’s most iconic monuments, a unique masterpiece that combines art, history, and spirituality. To truly understand its essence and meaning, it is essential to know the key terms of the basilica and the symbolism hidden in every architectural detail.
This glossary brings together 32 essential architectural terms of the Sagrada Família, explaining the most important elements of the temple, from its towers and façades to the stained glass windows, sculptures, and liturgical spaces that define Antoni Gaudí’s vision.
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The Passion Façade of the Sagrada Família
Table of contents
- Apse
- Antoni Gaudí
- Bell towers
- Cloister
- Branching columns
- Crypt
- Vegetal details
- Domènec Sugrañes
- Helical staircase
- Holy Family sculpture
- Evangelists – Towers
- Glory Façade
- Nativity Façade
- Passion Façade
- Francesc de Paula Villar
- Sacred geometry
- Jesus Christ – Tower
- Josep Maria Bocabella
- Josep Maria Subirachs
- Lluís Bonet
- Central nave
- Naturalism
- Organ
- Rosary Portal
- Presbytery
- Sacristy
- Religious symbolism
- Transept
- Trencadís
- Virgin Mary – Tower
- Stained glass windows
- Architectural volumes
Key terms of the Sagrada Família
Discover below the most important terms of the basilica, reflecting the way Gaudí conceived his masterpiece. You will also learn interesting facts and historical details that will make your visit more engaging and enjoyable.
1. Apse
Hanging Christ of the Sagrada Família, created in 1976 by sculptor Francesc Fajula, based on Gaudí’s original drawings.
The semicircular part of the church where the main altar is located. Its windows create a play of light that changes throughout the day, illuminating the presbytery and enhancing the religious symbolism of the basilica.
2. Antoni Gaudí
Catalan architect (1852–1926) responsible for the Sagrada Família. He combined Modernisme, Gothic architecture, and natural forms into a unique style. Antoni Gaudí devoted himself exclusively to the temple in his final years and even lived in his workshop on the building site.
3. Bell towers
The bell towers are the 12 towers dedicated to the Apostles, four on each façade. Today 14 of the 18 planned towers are finished.
4. Cloister
A gallery that will surround the temple and shield it from street noise. The Rosary Portal is one of its entrances.
5. Branching columns
The branching columns that resemble a fantasy forest
Columns that branch out like trees to distribute the weight. Their shafts are generated by a double helical twist: they start from a square base that becomes an octagon, then a 16-sided figure and finally a circle.
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6. Crypt
An underground space where Gaudí is buried. It houses the earliest designs and structures, offering insight into the beginnings of the project as well as Gaudí’s initial architectural solutions.
7. Vegetal details
Decorative elements inspired by leaves, flowers, and branches, found in columns, façades, and sculptures, reflecting Gaudí’s fascination with nature.
8. Domènec Sugrañes
A disciple of Gaudí who continued the construction after his death, overseeing façades and towers during the first half of the 20th century.
9. Helical staircase
Spiral staircases that allow visitors to climb the towers and enjoy views over Barcelona. Their design evokes tree trunks, reflecting the architect’s naturalistic approach.
10. Holy Family sculpture
Main entrance of the Nativity Façade of the Sagrada Família, where biblical scenes related to the birth of Jesus, animals, and vegetal motifs are depicted
It depicts the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, and the Child Jesus on the Nativity Façade, combining naturalism with religious symbolism.
11. Evangelists – Towers
Four towers representing the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each tower is crowned with symbolic figures such as an angel, a lion, a bull, and an eagle, and together they surround the Tower of Jesus Christ, forming a harmonious ensemble.
12. Glory Façade
It will be the main façade dedicated to the glorification of Christ, depicting scenes of the Last Judgment and the entrance to Heaven. Still under construction, it will serve as the basilica’s main entrance.
13. Nativity Façade
Nativity Façade
It is the façade Gaudí left most advanced in his lifetime; it represents the joy of the birth of Jesus with animals, plants and everyday scenes. The sculptor Etsuro Sotoo, who worked on the temple from 1978, added musician angels, children and fruit baskets, and designed the bronze and glass doors inaugurated in December 2015.
14. Passion Façade
Designed by Gaudí in 1917, it was built from 1954 onwards and its bell towers were completed in 1976. The sculptures, in an angular and dramatic style, are by Josep Maria Subirachs, who began working on them in 1987.
15. Francesc de Paula Villar
The original architect of the Sagrada Família, responsible for the first plans of the Sagrada Família, which Gaudí later reinterpreted and transformed into his unique masterpiece.
16. Sacred geometry
Gaudí used ruled geometry (hyperboloids, paraboloids, helicoids) to unite structure, light and symbolism.
17. Jesus Christ – Tower
Interior of the Tower of Jesus Christ in the Sagrada Família, Barcelona
It is the tallest tower of the basilica, standing 172.5 metres high, and makes the Sagrada Família the tallest church in the world. The cross that crowns it was completed on 20 February 2026, and Pope Leo XIV blessed it on 10 June 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death.
18. Josep Maria Bocabella
Barcelona bookseller (1815–1892) who founded the Spiritual Association of Devotees of Saint Joseph in 1866 and promoted the construction of the temple.
19. Josep Maria Subirachs
The sculptor who designed the figures of the Passion Façade. His modern, angular style marked a departure from Gaudí’s naturalism and sparked both admiration and controversy at the time.
20. Lluís Bonet
Lluís Bonet i Garí directed the works between 1974 and 1982, adapting Gaudí’s plans to modern techniques.
21. Central nave
View of the Central Nave during the Christmas Concert at the Sagrada Família
The main space that guides the visitor’s gaze toward the high altar. Its columns and stained glass windows create a sense of verticality and openness, evoking a forest made of stone.
22. Naturalism
A style that integrates natural forms into architecture and sculpture, visible in columns, façades, and ornamental details.
23. Organ
The main organ, built by Blancafort Orgueners de Montserrat, was installed in the presbytery in 2010. It has 26 stops and 1,492 pipes and accompanies ceremonies and concerts.
24. Rosary Portal
A portal at the right-hand end of the Nativity Façade, at the foot of the tower of Saint Matthias, that leads into the cloister. Gaudí completed it in 1897.
25. Presbytery
The area where the high altar is located, the liturgical heart of the temple, surrounded by light and designed to focus the visitor’s attention on the central religious act.
26. Sacristy
The place where liturgical garments and objects are prepared. Its design combines functionality with ornamental details consistent with Gaudí’s style.
27. Religious symbolism
The Passion Façade with four of the Apostles’ towers
Every architectural detail carries meaning: the columns represent apostles, the stained glass windows narrate the Gospels, and divine light illuminates the paths leading toward the altar.
28. Transept
The transverse section that forms a cross with the central nave. It is essential for both the structure and the interior lighting.
29. Trencadís
Trencadís is a type of mosaic, characteristic of Modernista architecture and popularised by Gaudí, consisting of irregular ceramic fragments and tiles set onto a surface with mortar.
30. Virgin Mary – Tower
Located above the apse, next to the Tower of Jesus Christ, it symbolises the Virgin Mary’s protection over Barcelona. It is 138 metres high and crowned by a 12-pointed star that was lit for the first time on 8 December 2021.
31. Stained glass windows
The effect of natural light filtering through the stained glass windows of the Sagrada Família.
Designed by Joan Vila-Grau, the stained glass windows fill the temple with warm and cool light depending on the sun’s orientation. Each colour and shape carries symbolic and aesthetic meaning.
32. Architectural volumes
The forms and masses created by the towers, naves, and façades, generating a unique sense of balance and dynamism throughout the basilica.
Discovering the Sagrada Família means immersing yourself in a world of light, form, and symbolism where nature and architecture come together. Every tower, façade, and detail tells the story of Gaudí and of those who continued his work, creating a living monument that is still growing.
Plan your visit, book your ticket, and if you want to go deeper, join a guided tour and let yourself be amazed by the grandeur and secrets of this one-of-a-kind temple.