No More Selfies on the Escalator: Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Cracks Down on Tourists

The Transport Authority of Barcelona (TMB) in Spain prohibits video filming on the escalators of the Sagrada Familia subway station.

Sagrada Familia Official Website

The New York Post reported that the Barcelona Transport Authority has installed signs at the Sagrada Familia Cathedral subway station prohibiting specific video recordings and has also deployed security personnel.

According to a spokesperson for the Barcelona Transport Authority, this measure is due to videos trending on social media. Recently, videos of people placing their phones on the escalators at the Sagrada Familia station to capture their ascent with the beautiful cathedral in the background have become popular. This trend has caused congestion around the station and on the escalators, with some visitors expressing discomfort.

Sagrada Familia Official Website

Therefore, the Barcelona Transport Authority has decided to ban filming by propping phones on the escalators. The spokesperson for the Barcelona Transport Authority explained, “We have installed signs and deployed security personnel around the Sagrada Familia to prevent accidents due to the high volume of visitors.”

While violators can be stopped by on-site personnel, no fines will be imposed. Furthermore, filming is still allowed as long as phones are not placed on the escalators.

Sagrada Familia Official Website

Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral, a masterpiece by renowned architect Antonio Gaudi, has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Construction of the cathedral began in 1882 and has been ongoing for a long time, with completion scheduled for 2026, 144 years after it began.