Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica. (more) Today in History—March 19: The Original Plan for the Sagrada Família Written by Alicja Zelazko Alicja Zelazko is Associate Editor, Arts and Humanities, covering topics in the visual arts, architecture, music, and performance. Before joining Encyclopædia Britannica in 2017, she worked at the Art... Alicja Zelazko Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 17, 2026 •History The Basilica de la Sagrada Família is inextricably tied to Antoni Gaudí. Its hivelike towers, stalactitic portals, and arborescent supports totally embody the Catalan architect’s vision for the church of the future. But when the bishop of Barcelona laid the basilica’s cornerstone on this day in 1882—St. Joseph’s Day—Gaudí was not the architect. Today in History is a daily newsletter from Britannica.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Want to learn more about what happened on March 19, or any...

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