View from Sagrada Familia’s Nativity facade

Four towers, three porticos, two views, one bridge, and plenty of mind-blowing sculptures—that’s the Nativity facade for you in a nutshell.

Renowned for being the oldest and most vibrant of the church’s two completed facades, the Nativity facade was personally built under the supervision of Antoni Gaudi.

Talking about the views from up here, you get to first witness Gaudi’s intricate sculptures depicting biblical scenes from the early life of Jesus.

The second view is that of Barcelona’s Eastern side of the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.

Here’s everything you need to know about the view from the Nativity facade and why visiting this part of the basilica is an experience you should not miss.

What is Nativity Facade?

A facade, in general, is a view created by two or more towers of a building.

Sagrada Familia’s architect, Antoni Gaudi, had planned three facades for the Cathedral—Nativity and Passion (both are open to the public) and the Glory facade (to be completed by 2026).

The Nativity Facade, located on the eastern side of the basilica, represents the birth and childhood of Jesus.

Thanks to its magnificence, visitors often prefer the Nativity Facade to the somber-looking Passion facade.

Unlike the Passion facade, the Nativity facade has a connecting bridge between two of the four towers where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Catalan mountain range beyond.

The facade is divided into three porticoes—Faith, Hope, and Charity—each dedicated to a specific member of the holy family, i.e., Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Likewise, the Nativity Facade’s four towers are dedicated to the apostles Matthew, Barnabas, Jude, and Simon.

The doors of the Nativity Facade are a recent addition, and they are made of colored stainless steel. Japanese sculptor Etsuro Sotoo designed these to represent nature.

Just so you know, you need Towers Access tickets (also known as the Top View tickets) to go up the Nativity Towers.

The Nativity facade view

Are you eager to know more about the sculptures and other artwork on this side of the Sagrada Familia? Well, here are some of the best photographs of Nativity facade towers.

View of an oval window and fruit topped tower. Pin
Image: Mikestravelguide.com

View of an oval window and fruit-topped tower beside the Nativity facade bridge on Sagrada Familia.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus riding away to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath.Pin
Image: Bluffton.edu

Sculptures of the holy family’s flight from Narazeth to Egypt to escape from Herod’s wrath.


Recommended Reading


The Charity Portico on the Nativity Facade.Pin
Image: Bluffton.edu

Tourists admire the statues and sculptures above the Nativity Facade’s Charity Portico.

Fast Track Sagrada Familia entry ticket is the cheapest way to get into the Basilica. If money isn’t an issue and you prefer an immersive experience, opt for the guided tour of Sagrada Familia. To go up the Tower, buy the Tower access ticket.

Cypress tree and Jacob's ladder on the Nativity facade.Pin
Image: Coloringwithoutborders.com

Cypress tree and Jacob’s ladder on the Nativity facade.

Sculptures of Jesus' parents Joseph and Mary present him at the Temple. Pin
Image: Coloringwithoutborders.com

Sculptures of Jesus’ parents Joseph and Mary present him at the Temple in Jerusalem.

The spires on the Nativity facade towers.Pin
Image: Thiscouldleadtoanywhere.com

The spires on the four towers of the Nativity facade.

Sagrada Familia gets more than 5 million visitors annually. To avoid the crowd, it is better to purchase Sagrada Familia tickets in advance and read up on the best time to visit Sagrada Familia.

Aerial view from Nativity facade Tower of the street below.Pin
Image: Destinations.guru

An aerial view of tourists down the street from the bridge between the Nativity facade towers.

The Nativity's Hope portico with leafy green doors portraying insects and other creatures on the Nativity facade.Pin
Image: Vacatis.com

The Nativity’s Hope portico has leafy green doors that portray insects and other creatures on the Nativity facade.

Did You Know?
There are sculptures portraying Antoni Gaudí on the church’s two completed façades: He is depicted as Saint Joseph on the Nativity facade and as Saint John on the Passion facade.

A view of the city and the mountain beyond from the Nativity facade.Pin
Image: Getyourguide.com

A view of the city of Barcelona and the mountains beyond from the Nativity facade.

Stairs to climb down from the Sagrada Familia towers.Pin
Image: Junbeom Ahn

A view of the Stairwell you’ll need to climb down on your way back to the church below.

Traveling a lot during your holiday in Barcelona? Save money on your travel and enjoy unlimited free public rides with the Hola Barcelona City Card

Pin
Image: Lasagradafamília.com

The 12 fruits of the holy Spirit reimagined by artists on the Nativity facade.

Pin
Image: Blog.sagradafamilia.org

A newly-built Sagrada Familia elevator that leads up to the facades.

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Researched & written by
Jamshed is a versatile traveler, equally drawn to the vibrant energy of city escapes and the peaceful solitude of remote getaways. On some trips, he indulges in resort hopping, while on others, he spends little time in his accommodation, fully immersing himself in the destination. A passionate foodie, Jamshed delights in exploring local cuisines, with a particular love for flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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