If you are in Barcelona, you will probably visit the legendary Sagrada Familia temple. Don’t just take pictures of the outside, for God’s sake go inside and see it in all its glory.

The world-famous temple was the masterpiece of one of Spain’s most famous architects, Antoni Gaudi. Started in the 19th century, Sagrada Familia is still unfinished to this day. Gaudi worked for over forty years on the temple, until his death in 1926.

His work is carried on by architects and artists, and should be completed around 2026. If you would like to learn more about the history and architecture of Sagrada Familia please visit sagradafamilia.org.

I’m not saying that the the outside of this structure isn’t amazing, but I am saying you should spend some time inside as well. In fact, the video below is a 3d rendering of what the temple will look like once it’s finished.

This video illustrates the unfinished design stages of the temple in a very Game of Thrones kind of way.

While the outside of the temple features amazing relief sculptures and biblical scenes that could keep you occupied for hours, the inside is in stark contrast with perfect geometric forms and amazing displays of structural engineering. Being inside La Sagrada Familia gives you a sense of how meticulous Gaudi was in his architectural planning. Each column is beautifully designed and structurally sound.

See the difference below.

Outside

Inside – photo courtesy of sagradafamilia.org

So, if you are in Barcelona, make sure you give yourself some extra time to see the inside of La Sagrada Familia. It’s worth the extra time. Buy tickets and schedule your visit early to avoid the large tourist crowds because there is a lot to see. ‘