Nativity Facade Vs. Passion Facade: Which Tower to Visit? 

The key difference between the Nativity Facade and the Passion Facade is that the Nativity Facade depicts Jesus’ birth, while the Passion Facade portrays his death on the cross. The Nativity Facade is also popular for its intricate carvings. Contrariwise, the Passion Facade stands out for its modernist design. 

However, both of these towers of Sagrada Familia are attractive in their way. So, while buying tickets for one of these towers, it might be confusing about which tower is better: Nativity Facade vs. Passion Facade. 

Overview of the Nativity Facade 

The Nativity Facade is a special and unique part of the Sagrada Familia church. It was directly designed and built by Antoni Gaudí in 1894 and 1932. He was the greatest architect and designer of Catalan modernism. 

However, the facade includes four bell towers at its foundation. These towers give it a square shape. Above that, the towers assume a parabolic shape, which forms a pointed top. 

Currently, the Nativity facade faces Marina Street, illustrating Jesus’ birth. Sunlight shines on the status of this facade, including the Holy Family of Jesus and shepherds. The engraving on the trees and flowers. 

Besides, there are three special doors in the facade named Hope, Charity, and Faith. They represent some significant ideas like love, belief, and new beginnings. This aesthetically beautiful and colorful work of art is a happy song of love, life, and faith. 

What People Like

•  Gaudí’s great craftsmanship
• The rich symbolism of the birth of Jesus
• The interplay of sunlight on the facade 

What People Don’t Like 

• Lack of religious context

Overview of the Passion Facade

As the name suggests, the Passion facade illustrates the passion and death of Jesus. Gaudí wanted it to be the opposite of the Nativity facade. By following Gaudí’s models and ideas, the construction of the Passion facade started in 1954, about 25 years after the great architect Gaudí’s death. 

Opposed to the Nativity facade, the shape at the base of these towers is slightly elliptical. There are four towers on the facade. But only two towers are open to the public. These are the Philip Tower and the Thomas Tower. 

This facade is divided into three levels, representing the different stages of Jesus’ passion. The first floor portrays scenes of the Last Supper, Judas’ betrayal, the crucifixion, and Peter’s denial. 

Then, the second floor displays Jesus talking to the women of Jerusalem. Lastly, the third floor illustrates the soldiers playing, the deposition, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. 

However, the facade faces west, displaying the setting sun. It means light changes from bright to shadowy and then darkness before renewing. 

Bonus: if you are in Barcelona, Spain then must know which is worth visiting – Casa Mila vs. Casa Batllo

What People Like

• Powerful symbolism of Jesus’ death and mortality
• Haunting beauty and historical context of Gaudí’s life
• Modern and unique design, unlike traditional church decor

What People Don’t Like

• Disturbing beauty and misrepresentation of Jesus 

Nativity Facade vs. Passion Facade: A Quick Comparison 

Comparing the Nativity facade vs. the Passion facade is an easy way to understand the differences between these two. Here, we attach a quick comparison table to determine some of their major features. 

Criteria	Nativity Facade	Passion Facade
Symbolism	Love, hope, and new beginnings	Passion, suffering, sacrifice, and death
Color	Vibrant	Dark
Lights	Sunlight creates dynamic visuals	Sunset makes dramatic lighting
Sculptures	Expressive and full of life	Gaunt and skeletal
View	Wonder and joy	Sorrow and empathy
Religious context	The joy of the Nativity	Suffering and death of Jesus
Tone	Pleasing	Obsessed

What are the Differences Between the Nativity Facade and the Passion Facade? 

The Nativity Tower and the Passion Tower are both surprises for visitors to Sagrada Familia. Still, there are a few differences between these two. Here, we have listed some of them. 

Height and Shape 

One of the major differences between the Nativity Tower and the Passion Tower is their height and shape. The Nativity Tower is shorter than the Passion Tower. 

Here, the tallest tower of the Passion facade is about 367 feet (112 meters), while the Nativity facade is 352.69 feet (107.5 meters) long. Therefore, the Passion tower is angular and rigid, while the Nativity tower is rounded and unsymmetrical. 

Main Theme 

There’s a huge difference between the Nativity Facade and the Passion Facade when it comes to their themes. The Nativity facade depicts the birth of Jesus, celebrating hope, love, and new beginnings. The three main themes of this facade are Faith, Love, and Charity. 

On the other side, the Passion facade shows the death of Christ. Here, the main themes are death, sacrifice, and suffering. 

View 

The Nativity facade offers city and coastline views, while the Passion facade gives stunning Montserrat mountain views. 

In another way, the Passion Tower brings out a dramatic sunset view, while the Nativity Tower unveils the view of sunlight. It showcases a stunning view of the bursting city of Barcelona. 

Know more: Round trip flight and a one-day flight together.

Which should I Choose to Visit Between the Nativity Tower and Passion Tower? 

At present, there are only two options to visit: the Passion Tower and the Nativity Tower. If you need to choose any one between these two, you should consider various aspects like their atmosphere, the view, height, authenticity, etc. 

Choose the Nativity Tower if you: 

• Want to enjoy a joyful and colorful atmosphere? 
• Find sense in themes like hope, faith, and love.
• Like looking out at the city and the ocean from a very high space. 
• Want to visit the authentic architecture of Antoni Gaudí?

Choose the Passion Tower if you: 

• Prefer a more serious experience.
• Want to sense the difficulties of life and sacrifices of the people.
• Enjoy reflectively seeing the mountains and city.
• Like to see modern and stylish sculptures. 

Bonus: Learn more about Spain or Italy for Honeymoon- Which One Should You Go For?

FAQs 

Can I Visit the Sagrada Familia Towers? 

Yes, you’ll need to buy a ticket to visit the Sagrada Familia Towers. It includes access to the tower you choose. Then, you will take a lift to get to the top of the tower. When you get there, you have to use the stairs to get back down. Visitors with mobility issues and kids under 6 won’t be able to visit the towers. 

How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Nativity and the Passion Towers? 

It will depend on the type of tickets. If you choose no guide or audio guide, the cost will range from €36 to €40 for adults. On the contrary, if you choose a guide, they will be slightly more expensive and will be between €46 and €50 for the Nativity tower. The same thing for Passion Tower is respectively €34-€36 and €44-€48. 

Where Does the Sagrada Familia Located? 

The Sagrada Familia is situated in the Eixample district, the center of Barcelona, Spain. You can also find it at this address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain. 

Conclusion 

Now, hopefully, you know which one is better for you to visit while comparing the Nativity facade vs the Passion facade. Now, it’s time to implement your ideas and enjoy your trip.