After more than a century of construction, Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona has announced a completion date of 2026. This landmark year will mark 144 years since the first stone was laid in 1882, and will coincide with the centenary of Gaudí’s death.
Esteve Camps, president of the organization overseeing the basilica’s completion, made the announcement, stating that sufficient funds and materials are secured to finish the structure. This includes the ambitious 172.5-meter central tower dedicated to Jesus Christ, which will officially make the Sagrada Familia the tallest building in Barcelona, dominating the city skyline.
While the main structure is slated for completion in 2026, Camps clarified that work will continue until 2034 on sculptural elements, decorative finishes, and notably, the controversial stairway leading to the grand entrance. This proposed stairway has become a significant point of contention, as its construction would necessitate the displacement of approximately 1,000 families and businesses.
Originally, when construction commenced, the Sagrada Familia was situated in open farmland. However, Barcelona’s urban sprawl has since enveloped the basilica, making the stairway project a complex urban planning challenge. The planned stairway would extend across two city blocks, triggering considerable local debate and requiring delicate negotiations with city authorities.
Despite the controversy, Camps firmly asserts that the stairway is integral to Gaudí’s original vision. “We are following Gaudí’s plan to the letter,” he stated, emphasizing the 1915 plan signed by Gaudí that included the stairway. Discussions are reportedly ongoing with Barcelona’s Mayor, Jaume Collboni, as the local council holds the ultimate decision-making power regarding the stairway’s implementation. The outcome of these discussions remains uncertain.
The Sagrada Familia’s journey to completion has been far from straightforward. Throughout its history, the project has faced numerous obstacles, including wars, periods of neglect, and financial constraints. Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a two-year work suspension, adding to the delays.
Historically, funding for the basilica relied solely on donations from worshippers, a system that proved financially precarious and led many to doubt the project’s eventual realization. The Catalan poet Joan Maragall poetically described the basilica as “the poetry of architecture … a temple that will never be finished, that is constantly becoming,” reflecting the long and uncertain construction process.
However, the advent of mass tourism has transformed the Sagrada Familia’s financial landscape. Attracting nearly 5 million visitors annually, with entrance fees ranging from €25 to €40, tourism now provides a stable income stream. Just over half of the €125 million generated annually is directly reinvested into completing the construction. The allocation of the remaining funds remains undisclosed, as the church is not obligated to publicly release its financial records.
A particularly damaging episode in the Sagrada Familia’s history occurred in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. Anarchists ignited a fire in the crypt and destroyed Gaudí’s workshop, including the intricate plaster models he used as guides for future construction phases. Architect Lluís Bonet i Garí painstakingly rescued fragments of these models, which were later reassembled, preserving crucial details of Gaudí’s designs. New Zealand architect Mark Burry further advanced the project by utilizing aeronautical software to resolve complex technical challenges inherent in Gaudí’s unique architectural style.
The Sagrada Familia’s architectural merit has been subject to diverse opinions. While widely celebrated as a masterpiece of modern architecture and a wonder of the world, it has also received criticism. Salvador Dalí famously described its aesthetic as possessing “terrifying and edible beauty,” while George Orwell offered a contrasting view, deeming it “one of the most hideous buildings in the world,” even suggesting the anarchists missed an opportunity by not destroying it completely. Despite varying critical opinions, the Sagrada Familia remains an iconic symbol of Barcelona and a testament to Gaudí’s visionary genius, now finally approaching its long-awaited finished state.
