Exploring the Hidden Treasures of the Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona is a marvel with unique features such as spires resembling sandcastles, stonework mimicking flora, and an interior filled with colors. It even holds numerous treasures, some hidden in plain sight. Barcelona’s renowned landmark continues to amaze both visitors and regular worshippers alike.

Josep Turull, the Catalan rector, oversees the parish activities at Sagrada Familia. Recently, he took The Associated Press on an exclusive tour to display his favorite features ahead of the highly awaited Mass by Pope Leo XIV.

“We say that one of the elements of the Sagrada Familia Basilica is that you never exhaust it,” Turull stated. “I have spent the last eight years as its rector, and each day I discover something new.”

1. Mysterious Façades

Each day, Turull examines the basilica’s detailed façades, rich with religious scenes and symbols. Some are straightforward, while others are enigmatic and striking, especially for a church.

The Façade of the Passion, facing west, features figures in torment. This reflects Antoni Gaudí’s intent to depict the agony of Christ’s final days. Sculptor Josep Subirachs later added lighter elements. For instance, a depiction of Gaudí gazing at Jesus carrying the cross is included. Adjacent to the betrayal scene of Judas, there is a sudoku-like magic square.

The magic square symbolizes the inevitability of Christ’s death, with any direction adding up to 33, the age of Christ at crucifixion. Nearby, a small labyrinth in the depiction of Peter’s denial emphasizes maintaining faith when feeling lost.

2. Heights Teeming with Life

Following the Mass, Pope Leo will bless the Tower of Jesus Christ, which made the Sagrada Familia the tallest church globally last October.

The higher reaches of the basilica incorporate nature, from the rooster crowing as Peter denied Jesus to reptiles acting as gargoyles. Real peregrine falcons also reside in the St. James tower, deterring pigeons. These birds reappeared here after disappearing in the 1970s, successfully breeding for over twenty years. They symbolize the restoration of natural cycles.

3. Exploring Gaudí’s Crypt

Visitors can miss the basilica’s “spiritual heart,” which lies beneath the grandeur above. Accessible through a modest side entrance and stairs, the crypt is a smaller chapel. Here, Gaudí, a devout Catholic, rests in a quiet tomb.

His tomb attracts people seeking his intercession, signified by numerous candles at the site. The Vatican’s ongoing evaluation may potentially lead to Gaudí’s sainthood. His designation as “venerable” by Pope Francis in 2025 marks the first step towards this possibility. A miracle attributed to Gaudí must be confirmed for his beatification and later canonization. Pope Leo might pray here during his visit, though this isn’t confirmed yet.

4. Seashell for Holy Water

Ascending, Turull pauses at an enormous seashell for holy water — an authentic one from the Philippines. Gaudí’s design features the shell mounted on wrought iron. Turull observes that Gaudí consistently found inspiration in the natural world for his designs.

5. A Room for the Pope

Up the staircase, a sunlit private room houses two oak cabinets designed by Gaudí. They store the basilica’s cherished relics and clerical garments, including a chasuble worn by Pope Benedict XVI during the 2010 consecration.

Here, Pope Leo will don a newly crafted chasuble created specifically for the occasion. Turull hints that it will highlight the day’s significance and connect to the recently elevated Cross of Jesus Christ, but he keeps further details confidential for now.