The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona isn’t just any church; it’s a monumental masterpiece with a fascinating story. It feature a truly unique design, full of spires, towers, and complex facade details. Dreamed up by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, its construction kicked off way back in 1882.
Over 140 years later, it remains the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world. Luckily, its completion is within sight. The foundation behind the cathedral recently announced that it will finalize early in 2026.
Gaudí poured his heart and soul into this project, blending Gothic and Art Nouveau styles to create something truly unique. Unfortunately, he died in 1926, and by then, only about a quarter of the church was complete.
But Gaudí’s vision was so detailed, complex, and inspiring, that it has kept architects and builders busy for generations, each adding their piece to his grand puzzle.
Even now, the Sagrada Familia is still a work in progress. Thanks to modern building technologies, Gaudí’s complex designs are coming to life faster and more accurately than ever.
The journey hasn’t been smooth, though—this project has seen its fair share of ups and downs, from interruptions like the Spanish Civil War to various financial crunches. Yet, all these twists and turns just make the basilica even more intriguing to the millions who visit each year, eager to see how it’s changing.
And with plans to finish by 2026, a hundred years after Gaudí’s death, everyone’s watching and waiting to see the final unveiling of one of the longest-standing construction projects ever.
The massive cathedral has a commanding view of the Barcelona cityscape and sea beyond.
The massive cathedral hasn’t used public funding, and the cost remains under wraps. Though estimates place the construction cost at €25 million a year.
Throughout its construction, Sagrada Familia has been open for tours, and the cost of those tours have helped pay for construction. We visited in 2006, when the cathedral was far less finished. We came away stunned by the complex forms, and color permeating the design.
The interior of the cathedral features stunning stained glass that casts colorful shadows on the columns and walls.
It will be truly exciting to see the project come to a close, and the beautifully unique cathedral open to the public officially.
Images courtesy of the Sagrada Familia Foundation.
The post The Sagrada Familia Cathedral Will Complete in 2026, After 140 Years of Construction appeared first on Moss and Fog.