Barcelona's Sagrada Familia church expected to be completed in 2026
Barcelona’s famous basilica, the Sagrada Familia, is set to be completed in 2026 after more than a century of construction, according to an annual report released last week.
The report indicates that the church is nearing the end of its construction phase, which started last year with the completion of the Evangelists’ towers. Current efforts are focused on the Chapel of the Assumption and the Jesus Christ tower.
It’s expected that the Chapel of the Assumption will be completed by 2025, and the Jesus Christ tower by 2026.
In 2023, the Sagrada Familia welcomed 4,707,367 visitors, generating over $137 million in revenue, with 52% allocated to ongoing construction.
The basilica was conceptualized by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, who took charge of its construction in 1883, a year after it began. A devout Catholic, Gaudí saw the building of the church as a means to reconcile with God for the sins of the modern world, according to a “60 Minutes” report.
Gijs van Hensbergen, a biographer of Gaudí, explained to “60 Minutes” in 2013 that Gaudí aimed to encapsulate the entirety of the Catholic faith in a single structure. He highlighted the ceiling as a remarkable example of Gaudí’s architectural brilliance.
Van Hensbergen shared with “60 Minutes” that Gaudí designed the church’s interior to resemble a forest, a place he believed brought humans closer to God. The columns inside branch out like trees, reflecting this vision.
After Gaudí’s death in 1926, various architects and site managers have continued the work, aiming to complete the basilica by the 100th anniversary of his passing.
