The façade on Carrer de Sardenya is dedicated to the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. For its location, it is also known as the western façade. In a theological sense, it is considered the façade of redemption. The Nativity façade, on the other end of the transept, represents incarnation, theologically. The Passion façade has the same structure as the Nativity façade (a narthex and four bell towers, the latter devoted to the apostles James the Less, Bartholomew, Thomas and Philip, completed in 1977) but, unlike the Nativity façade that exalts the joy of life, this façade is in essence dramatic because it expresses the pain and sacrifice of the passion and death of Jesus Christ, and by extension that of all humanity. Gaudí left a drawing that describes this façade in great detail, explicitly indicating that it should be “harsh and cruel, as if made of bones” and even noted that some may find it “too extravagant”. The architect wanted it to inspire “fear”, and to do so he said he would use plenty of “chiaroscuro, recesses and protrusions, all of which gives it a gloomy effect.” He also said: “What’s more, I’m willing to sacrifice the building itself, to break arches, cut down columns, in order to give people an idea of how bloody the sacrifice is.”
Passion Façade 1973
