Sagrada Familia 20th century construction

In 1905 Gaudi undertook a project that incorporated the Holy Family under the Plan Jaussely, the new draft expansion was designed to place the temple in a garden in the form of an octagonal star, which would have provided an excellent view of the temple from all areas.

Finally, due to the cost of the land, the project fell to a four-pointed star, which allowed a wide view from all vertices. However, the plan was not finalised by Gaudi and in 1975 the City of Barcelona conducted a study to provide a cross-shaped area around the Holy Family, with four landscaped plazas at each end of the temple. Even so today there are only two of these places and the creation of any more would mean the demolition of several buildings, so it seems that the Sagrada Familia will remain in this setting.

The Sagrada Familia has had several prominent events in 1920 celebrating the Jubilee Year of St. Joseph with processions, pilgrimages and church services. Handel’s Alleluia chorus was sung by one thousand Handel Choral singers from all over Catalonia, led by Lluis Millet.

In 1953, the occasion of the 35th International Eucharistic Congress held in Barcelona, the illumination of the facade of the Nativity was revealed. In 1981 the square in front of the Gaudi Sagrada Familia was opened and the project of gardens Maria Nicolau i Rubio Tuduri with a reflecting pond whose water reflects the temple. The following year, to celebrate the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone, the temple received a visit by Pope John Paul II.

Similarly on March 18, 2007 was the 125th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the temple festival with concerts and dancing Sardana Santa Espina around the temple. The Sagrada Familia hosts a number of cultural events and religious gatherings.