The Basilica Research Paper

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The basilica has a long history that goes back to the year 1866, when the Spiritual Association of Devotee of Saint Joseph was established. The money that was raised by the foundation that was later used to make first constructions possible. Originally Boca Bella was the one who came up with the idea of building a church that was dedicated to the Holy Family. Franciscio De Paula del Vilar was the first architect to implement that idea, following the Neo - Gothic design. The construction started on the 19th of March 1882. After an argument between Boca Bella and Vilar the process of construction stopped for a while, until Gaudi decided to take over the project in 1883. Gaudi started working on the crypt, which he finished in 1889. Then he continued …show more content…

In 1952 the Nativity facade allowed light to enter the church. Three years later the first fund raising took place. The money was used for materials that were used for the basilicaThe history and symbolic of Gaudis work was soon displayed in a museum that first opened in 1961. About 15 years later the four bell towers on the passion facade were completed. Josep Maria Subirachs created sculptures for the facade in 1986. They stand out because of their very personal style. In 2006 the choir inside the Glory facade was constructed. Since 2010 the Basilica is opened to the public after it was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI. The nativity façade was the first and only façade Gaudi worked on. The construction at the glory and passion façade started after Gaudi had died and is still not finished. All three facades have a Christian symbolism. Jesus, his life and his work are immortalized on the three portals of the Basilica. Each portal stands for a special event in his life, including his birth, death and future. Unlike the passion façade, the nativity façade is decorated with many ornaments. The design follows the style of gothic churches. It is located to the east. Human figures and shapes from nature dominate the extravagantly design. Other catching features are the three doors at the entrance and four towers at the top of the façade. The passion façade, located to the west has a

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