The Nativity Facade of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
The Sagrada Familia, located in Barcelona, is one of the most famous masterpieces of the architect Antoni Gaudí. Of its three main facades, the Nativity Facade is particularly significant for its beauty and symbolism.
The Nativity Facade, facing northeast, is dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ. This facade was almost entirely completed under the supervision of Gaudí himself between 1894 and 1930. It is a celebration of life, birth and hope, reflecting Gaudí's deep Catholic faith.
The facade is composed of three main portals, each dedicated to a Christian virtue: Faith, Hope and Charity. The central portal, that of Charity, is the heart of the composition, with the scene of the Nativity of Christ as its dominant element. Here, the Holy Family is surrounded by angels, animals and adoring shepherds, as well as the arrival of the Three Wise Men.
Every detail of the façade was designed to convey a spiritual message. The columns are decorated with turtles at their bases, symbols of the land and the sea, representing time as something fixed and immutable. In contrast, the chameleons on the sides of the façade symbolize constant change.
Many artists contributed to the creation of this façade. Among the best known are the sculptor Carles Mani, who worked on the figures of the angels, and Llorenç Matamala, one of Gaudí's closest collaborators, who was responsible for many of the ornamental sculptures. In the 1980s, the Japanese Etsuro Sotoo played a key role in completing the decorations, adding angelic figures and naturalistic representations.
Although Gaudí's vision for a polychrome façade with painted statues and stained glass details was not realized, the Nativity Façade remains extraordinarily expressive. Its complexity and richness of symbols continue to enchant visitors from all over the world.
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Photo taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Tamron 16-300.
This is the official website of the Basilica: sagradafamilia.org.
To see all the photos I took of the church click here:
Where is the cathedral located:
Dedicated to the joyful event of the birth of Jesus, this façade features jubilant decorations in which all the elements evoke life. It focuses on the human and familiar side of Jesus, with a profusion of popular elements such as work tools and domestic animals. Oriented to the east (northeast), it is divided into three portals, dedicated to the theological virtues: hope on the left, faith on the right, and charity in the center, with the Door of Jesus surmounted by the Tree of Life.
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The Nativity Facade of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona – La façade de la Nativité de la Sagrada Familia à Barcelone – La Fachada del Nacimiento de la Sagrada Familia de Barcelona – A fachada da Natividade da Sagrada Família em Barcelona – Die Krippenfassade der Sagrada Familia in Barcelona – Mặt tiền Giáng sinh của Sagrada Familia ở Barcelona
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References:
– https://destinobarcellona.com/la-facciata-della-nativita-della-sagrada-familia/
– https://sagradafamilia.barcelonatickets.org/it/visita-la-sagrada-familia/le-facciate-della-sagrada-familia/
– https://www.sagrada-familia-barcelona.com/it/scoprire/facciata-della-sagrada-familia/