How many facades does Sagrada Familia have?

Three: Nativity (east, completed 1932), Passion (west, completed 2018) and Glory (south, under construction).

Which Sagrada Familia facade did Gaudi build?

The Nativity facade. Gaudi finished it himself in 1932, six years after his death, from his complete plaster models.

What is the meaning of the Passion facade?

It tells the death and resurrection of Christ in 12 sparse angular scenes by sculptor Josep Subirachs, deliberately stark to contrast with the celebratory Nativity facade.

Sagrada Familia Facades: Nativity, Passion, Glory Explained

The Three Facades of Sagrada Familia

Last updated: 2026-04-25

The Sagrada Familia tells the life of Christ on three facades: Nativity (east), Passion (west) and Glory (south). Together they form a stone Bible legible without words.

Nativity facade (east)

The only facade Gaudi finished himself, completed 1932. Faces sunrise to symbolize birth. Three porticos: Faith, Hope, Charity. Decorative naturalistic carvings of plants, animals and angels.

Passion facade (west)

Sculpted by Josep Subirachs from 1987 to 2018 in stark angular style. Faces sunset to symbolize death. Tells the story from the Last Supper to the resurrection in 12 stone scenes.

Glory facade (south)

The main entrance, still under construction. Will face south toward the Mediterranean. Will depict the road to glory through purgatory and feature the largest portico of the basilica.

How to read each facade

Nativity: anti-clockwise from the bottom right (birth, infancy, naturalism). Passion: anti-clockwise from bottom left (Last Supper, betrayal, crucifixion). Glory: bottom up.

Why three facades

Gaudi conceived the basilica as a synthesis of all of the Catholic faith: birth, death, glory. Each facade is built and read independently to focus on one mystery at a time.

Frequently asked questions

How many facades does Sagrada Familia have?: Three: Nativity (east, completed 1932), Passion (west, completed 2018) and Glory (south, under construction).
Which Sagrada Familia facade did Gaudi build?: The Nativity facade. Gaudi finished it himself in 1932, six years after his death, from his complete plaster models.
What is the meaning of the Passion facade?: It tells the death and resurrection of Christ in 12 sparse angular scenes by sculptor Josep Subirachs, deliberately stark to contrast with the celebratory Nativity facade.