Spain’s Sagrada Familia Completion Set for 2026, Marking 144-Year Construction Milestone
BARCELONA, SPAIN — Officials at the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia have confirmed that the iconic Barcelona landmark, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, is now projected to be fully completed by 2026. According to a statement released by the construction board on Tuesday, the final major structural component, the central tower of Jesus Christ, will be finished after 144 years of construction. The announcement specifies that the tower, standing at 172.5 meters, will make the Sagrada Familia the tallest religious building in Europe upon completion. Why this timeline was set: project managers cited modern digital fabrication techniques and steady funding from ticket sales as key factors enabling the accelerated schedule. Who is responsible: The current chief architect, Jordi Faulí, leads a team of over 1,000 workers continuing Gaudí’s original vision. What has changed: The new deadline replaces previous forecasts that stretched into the 2030s, with the 2026 target aligning with the centenary of Gaudí’s death. How the milestone will be commemorated: A year-long series of cultural events and a special mass are planned to mark the consecration of the completed structure.