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The monumental church El Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Family) is Gaudí's most famous work, the finest example of his visionary genius, and a world-wide symbol of Barcelona. The architect undertook the task in 1883 on the site of a previous neo-Gothic project begun in 1882 by F. del Villar. Gaudi dedicated his life, in his later years to the exclusion of all else, to carrying out this ambitious undertaking which due to his sudden death was left unfinished.
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Gaudí wanted to create a "20th century cathedral", a synthesis of all his architectural knowledge with a complex system of symbolisms and a visual explication of the mysteries of faith. There would be facades representing the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ with eighteen towers symbolizing the twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, and the Virgin Mary and Christ. This latter, the tallest, would stand 170 meters high. The church was based on the plan of a Gothic basilica with five naves, a transept, an apse, and ambulatory.
Gaudí became obsessed with the church to the point that not only did he focus all of his creative energies into it, but he set up residence in his on-site study as well. On June 7, 1926, Gaudi was hit by a street car while crossing the Gran Vía at Gerona. Three days later not having regained consciousness, Gaudí died at the age of 74.
Work continued on the church, and today, although still a work in progress, the constructed part is open to visitors.
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