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The Catholic Church is no stranger to large and magnificent architecture. After all, the seat of Catholicism in Vatican City is home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. But nestled in the middle of Barcelona, a towering architectural marvel remains unfinished after more than 140 years.
The organization in charge of its construction announced that the build will finally be finished by 2026, which would be the same year as the centenary of Gaudí’s death. But will that truly be the end? And why has it taken so long to build this impressive monument anyway?
Click through this gallery to take a trip through this church’s history and hallways.
Sagrada Família is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that can be found in Barcelona, Spain. It is one of the largest churches in the world, with the capacity to hold 9,000 people.
After a visit to the Vatican in 1872, a bookseller by the name of José María Bocabella was inspired to build a church with a similar style to the Basilica at Loreto (pictured).
Sagrada Família was designed by Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) in a combination of Gothic and Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí spent the last 40 years of his life dedicated to the project.
Construction on the Sagrada Família began on March 19, 1882. Initially, construction was overseen by another architect, but the project was taken over by Gaudí himself within a year. Pictured here is the church in 1886.
The site that was chosen for the church was originally nothing but farmland. But in the subsequent years, the city of Barcelona rose up around the church.
After Gaudí’s death in 1926, the project was taken over for a decade by Domènec Sugrañes i Gras (1878–1938). This is one of the many instances wherein the project was plagued by ever-changing dynamics.
Construction of the church was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). During this time, anarchists set fire to the crypt and Gaudí’s workshop, partially destroying the project’s original plans and plaster models.
It was only in the 1980s that computers were introduced into the designing and construction process for the church. Advancements in all forms of technology have enabled faster progress for the project.
The church’s construction passed the midpoint in 2010, almost 130 years after the project began. But there are still some major parts of the project that are yet to be completed.
The construction of Sagrada Família was unlicensed for the first 136 years. It was only in 2018 that the church’s trustees paid city authorities for a building permit.
The Sagrada Família’s design is a combination of Spanish Late Gothic and Art Nouveau, the latter of which was carried out by Gaudí far beyond its usual application.
The stone that has been used in the church’s construction is known as Montjuïc stone, named after the only place where the rock can be found: Montjuïc mountain in Barcelona. It is a sedimentary rock and is the only one of its kind found in Spain.
Interestingly, nowhere in the church would you be able to find any right angles (angles at exactly 90 degrees).
The church has a total ground area of 440,000 sq. feet (41,000 sq. meters), while the internal space of the church currently stands at 17,700 sq. feet (5,400 sq. meters).
Gaudí's original design meant that 18 spires were to be built, to represent the Twelve Apostles, the Four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary (pictured), and Jesus Christ, the latter of which would be the tallest. Only 13 spires have been completed to date.
Pictured here is the ongoing construction of the Christ steeple in the church’s center. After it's completed, the spire will reach a height of 172 meters (564 feet), which means that Sagrada Família will be the tallest church building in the world.
The facade of the church contains a magic square (pictured), where each row, column, and main diagonal adds up to 33.
One of the most notable design features of the church comes from Spanish sculptor Josep Maria Subirachs. His design, called the ‘Passion Facade,’ was controversial, as it did not follow Gaudí’s style.
The basilica’s internal layout is that of a Latin cross with five aisles. If you were to stand inside the apse of the church, the gaps in the floor would allow you to look into the crypt below.
Antoni Gaudí is one of only two people buried in the church. The other individual is Josep Maria Bocabella, the bookseller who inspired the church’s construction.
An organ was installed in the church in 2010, which is made up of 1,492 pipes. Many more organs are intended to be installed throughout the church in order to overcome acoustic challenges presented by the unique layout.
It was announced in March 2024 that the church’s date of completion would arrive in 2026, although decorative details are expected to be completed by 2034.
Since the beginning of the church’s construction, donations have played a primary role in building the monument. For the past few decades, however, tourism has also contributed massively to its growth, generating €125 million (US$134.5 million) annually.
On November 7, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church as a minor basilica in front of a congregation of 6,500 people.
In more recent times, the church’s construction has led to much concern for local residents. More specifically, the project has outlined its intentions to build a large stairway that leads to the main entrance of the basilica, which would require the demolition of three city blocks and the displacement of about 1,000 people.
Not everyone is a fan of the church’s design. Salvador Dalí described the monument as “terrifying,” while George Orwell considered it “one of the most hideous buildings in the world.”
Sources: (The Guardian) (Architect Magazine) (UNESCO World Heritage Centre) (Sagrada Família)
See also: Architecture and religion—the most beautiful churches in the world
Why it's taken over 140 years and counting to build Spain's biggest church
Have you visited Sagrada Família?
TRAVEL Architecture
The Catholic Church is no stranger to large and magnificent architecture. After all, the seat of Catholicism in Vatican City is home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world. But nestled in the middle of Barcelona, a towering architectural marvel remains unfinished after more than 140 years.
The organization in charge of its construction announced that the build will finally be finished by 2026, which would be the same year as the centenary of Gaudí’s death. But will that truly be the end? And why has it taken so long to build this impressive monument anyway?
Click through this gallery to take a trip through this church’s history and hallways.