Saint Peter crying in La Sagrada Familia

Among the many extraordinary things that can be found in la Sagrada Familia, we can enjoy the impressive statues that represent the liturgy of the Bible.

One of the scenes in the Passion facade is Denial of Saint Peter.

The meaning behind the sculpture is thought to be a representation of Saint Peter's remorse for denying Jesus three times before the crucifixion. In the Bible, Saint Peter denies Jesus three times before the rooster crows, as Jesus had predicted. This sculpture of Saint Peter crying can be seen as a representation of his regret and sorrow for his actions.

This statue was not done by Antoni Gaudí. The statues in the Passion facade are recent (from 1980s). In this case, the statues were done by a talented Catalan sculptor, Josep Maria Subirachs, starting in 1987 (still some statues have to be placed).

Josep Maria Subirachs i Sitjar (1927-2014) was a Spanish sculptor, painter and architect. He was born in Barcelona and studied at the technical superior architectural school of Barcelona.

Subirachs' sculptures are notable for their abstract style, which contrast with the traditional and ornate style of Gaudi's original work. His sculptures are also characterized by their rough texture and dark color, which he achieved by using a type of stone called "calcarenite."