Oldest active construction project La Sagrada Família to finish in 2026

143 years ago, Bishop Urquinaona laid the cornerstone of the Temple for what would become one of the most ambitious and defining architectural projects of the 20th century. 

La Sagrada Família in Barcelona is a one-of-a-kind Catholic basilica designed by renowned Spanish architect Antonio Gaudí. 

Currently the oldest active construction project, five generations of Spaniards have watched the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world grow within the Eixample district, as its spires climbed higher and its steps crawled over its neighbouring cobblestones. 

Originally designed by Francisco de Paula del Villar in 1882, Gaudí took over the project the following year, and completely reinvented the designs by combining Gothic and Art Nouveau influences to give the basilica its distinctive style. 

The design became the fruit of his life’s work, and he envisioned the construction of the Sagrada Família as a centuries-long project, akin to the great cathedrals of medieval Europe. When asked about his schedule, he famously remarked “My client is not in a hurry.”

With its looming towers and bold, inflated flying buttresses, the Sagrada Família is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Spain. Its stony exterior and imposing curves stand out remarkably from the short, urban buildings in the surrounding area – and don’t be surprised to see a crush of tourists outside staring up at the spires.

But upon entering the cathedral, visitors are stunned by the bright colours of its interiors – stained glass windows paint the walls in shades of red, green, blue, and yellow. Because the windows are arranged so the brighter colours are at the bottom and translucent windows are at the top, the colours on the walls change shades throughout the day, looking cooler in the morning and warmer in the evening. Gaudí apparently wanted the facades to be as colourful as a kaleidoscope to reflect the glory of the heavenly kingdom.

Although Gaudí died in 1926 while less than a quarter of the construction was completed, his body was interred in the crypt of the church so he could rest forever with his favourite creation.

Now nearly 100 years later, the Sagrada Família looks remarkably different than in Gaudí’s era. 

Construction progressed slowly, and was particularly disrupted by the Spanish Civil War and when the FAI set fire to the crypt and partially destroyed Gaudí’s original plans in 1936. Luckily reconstructions of the plans were able to be made, and the church made intermittent progress through the 1950s until the 21st century.

But thanks to advances in technology, the pace of construction has accelerated dramatically over the last few decades, as wooden scaffolding and workers with chisels and hammers have given way to tower cranes, computer models, and precise computer numerical control (CNC) machined stonework. 

Recent additions to the building include a 12-pointed crystal star atop one of the main towers, elaborate facades and doors, and a magnificent organ. And once the Jesus Christ spire is added on to the roof, Sagrada Família will become the tallest church building in the world – 11 metres (36.1 ft) taller than the current record-holder, Ulm Minster.

Construction on the cathedral passed the midpoint in 2010, and despite a brief pause during the COVID pandemic, builders confirmed they are still on schedule for a 2026 completion of the structure, with aesthetic work to be completed by the 2030s.

That means that around this time next year – and at the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death – one of the greatest artistic wonders of the 19th century will finally look complete. 

Header: Manuel Torres Garcia/Pexels