Will 2026 be the year of the completion of the Sagrada Familia?

The Sagrada Familia, one of the most representative icons of Barcelona and Catalan modernism, is also an emblem of architectural persistence. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, its construction began in 1882 and has faced countless challenges ever since. Now, the question on everyone’s mind is: will it really be finished in 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí’s death?

A century-old dream: The history of the Sagrada Familia

The first stone was laid in 1882, under the initial direction of Francisco de Paula del Villar. Soon after, however, Antoni Gaudí took control of the project, transforming it into a monumental work of modernist architecture. The work progressed slowly due to its complexity and interruptions caused by wars, lack of funds and changes in the work team.

Why did it take so long?

1. Complexity of the design: Gaudí conceived an ambitious structure with innovative elements requiring precision and technology that have only been developed in recent decades.
2. Funding: The project is funded primarily through donations and visitor tickets, which has slowed the process.
3. Historical conflicts: The Spanish Civil War destroyed essential parts of the original plans and models, forcing Gaudí’s vision to be reinterpreted.

The future of the work

Although the initial goal was to complete construction by 2026, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress considerably. Until recently, the Sagrada Familia was expected to be completed in 2026, the centenary year of Gaudí’s death. However, the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the plans of the church’s Construction Board. According to the latest estimates, the Sagrada Familia will be completed in 2033, 150 years after Gaudí took the lead on the project. In any case, the board is not putting any pressure on itself (the works could take much longer) and its main short-term objective is to complete the Jesus Tower (or tower of Jesus Christ) in 2026, when all the towers of the Sagrada Familia will be finished.