2-370-080 - Samuel Magal/Sites & Photos/Heritage Images

The Sagrada Familia Temple, Barcelona, Spain, 2007. Detail of the Charity Portal in the Nativity Facade: The Birth of Christ. Construction of this unique temple began in 1882, and one year later Antoni Gaudi was appointed Project Director. He worked on the project for over 40 years until his death in 1926. The temple has three facades (named 'Nativity', 'Passion' and 'Glory'), each bearing four souring towers. Eight of the twelve bell towers of the facades, dedicated to the Apostles and having a height exceeding 100 metres, are already built. The four belfries awaiting construction are those of the Facade of Glory, the 170-metre central dome in honour of Jesus Christ, the Tower of the Virgin Mary (125m) and the Tower of the four Evangelists. The sculptors collaborating with Gaudi in the decoration of this facade were Llorenn Matamala i Piool, Carles Mani i Roig and Jaume Busquets.