Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia to Reach Completion in 2026, Officials Confirm
Officials have confirmed that the iconic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is set to be completed in 2026, over 140 years since construction first commenced.
The organization overseeing the site announced that the construction of the final tower, the Chapel of the Assumption, is projected to be finalized in 2025, with the tower of Jesus Christ following suit in 2026, marking the conclusion of the basilica’s structural assembly.
Standing at an impressive height of 172.5 meters (566 feet), the tower of Jesus Christ will be adorned with a striking 17-meter-tall (56-foot) four-armed cross, as detailed by the cathedral’s plans.
Once finished, the Sagrada Familia will claim the title of the world’s tallest church, surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster.
The visionary behind the Sagrada Familia’s design, renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, initiated the project in 1882. Gaudí envisioned 18 grand towers, each representing a different biblical figure, including the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus.
Despite Gaudí’s passing in 1926, only a fraction of the project, estimated at 10%-15%, had been completed by then. Interruptions during the late 1930s due to the Spanish Civil War further impeded progress, resulting in the destruction of many of Gaudí’s original designs and models.
Surviving and reconstructed materials, along with reimagined adaptations of the original plans, have guided the current construction efforts.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, the Sagrada Familia was consecrated for religious worship by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
Remarkably, the construction of the basilica proceeded without proper authorization for 137 years until 2019, when Barcelona’s city council finally issued a building permit. The revelation that the project had never obtained planning permission came to light only in 2016.
As the final pieces of this architectural marvel fall into place, the Sagrada Familia stands as a testament to human ingenuity, perseverance, and artistic brilliance, set to awe visitors for generations to come.
