Birth Facade

You are facing the Nativity or Levante façade. It was built during Gaudí's lifetime, in fact he dedicated much of his 45 years of working at the Sagrada Familia to it. A few days before he died, he was able to see the completed façade, which, along with the crypt and the apse, were the only standing parts of the temple in those days.

The Nativity façade narrates the main events of Jesus' childhood and is a magnificent hymn to life and creation.

As you can see, the façade is divided into three doors, which correspond to the three theological virtues: From left to right, Hope, Charity and Faith. The porticos are separated by two large columns, dedicated to Joseph and Mary, which end in the shape of a palm tree and on which several angels sound their triumphant trumpets. The bases of the columns are supported by the shell of two turtles, one of land and the other of sea, as a symbol of the unalterability of time.

In the center, above the main door and between the four towers, there is a cypress with green leaves, it is the tree of life, it represents eternity, the legacy of life and the triumph of Jesus, that is why it is full of doves, the faithful who turn to God. Crowned with a T-shaped cross (Tau), symbolizing God the Father, with X-shaped diagonals (Khi) representing the symbol of the name of Christ and finally a dove with open wings in allusion to the Holy Spirit.

The façade culminates with the bell towers dedicated to San Matías, San Judas Tadeo, San Simón and San Barnabas.