The Traveller's Magazine
Barcelona’s legendary basilica designed by architect Antoni Gaudi has been under construction since 1882. Work is slow but steady on the basilica these days and when it’s completed in 2026 the masterpiece will look like this…
The project has seen its fair share of setbacks during the years but the end is near. A fire in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War did unmeasurable damage, destroying almost all of Gaudi’s plans and drawings for the building. Since then it’s been a painstaking job to recreate the architect’s vision.
Gaudi used to joke that his client, God, was in no hurry to see its completion. So while head architecture Jordi Fauli assures the city of Barcelona they will have their long-awaited Gaudi basilica by 2026, a lot can happen in thirteen years. It’s probably best to wait before buying your flights to Barcelona.
Sagrada Familia in 2026
Construction on the basilica started in 1882 but Gaudi only lived long enough to see the Nativity facade completed in 1925. He was struck by a tram in 1926 and is buried inside the Carmen Chapel inside the church’s crypt. When finished, the Sagrada Familia will have 18 towers (today only eight of those are built). The main tower will stand 170m tall, the highest point in the city.
The Sagrada Familia, despite being incomplete, sees some 2 million tourists enter its doors ever year. Park Guell recently joined Barcelona’s list of “paid Gaudi attractions” after being free to tourists for years.
What do you think of its completed design? Have you been inside already?
