The Sagrada Familia, an iconic basilica in Barcelona considered the ultimate masterpiece of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, is set to be completed in 2026 – 144 years after the first stone was laid and on the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
The announcement was made by the Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família – a private foundation whose sole purpose is to build, preserve and restore the basilica.
The Foundation’s president, Esteve Camps, told The Guardian that while works on sculptures and decorative details will continue, the central tower – dedicated to Jesus Christ and towering 172.5 metres above ground, making it Barcelona’s tallest building – will be completed by 2026.
Construction of the church began in 1882, based on the plans of a previous architect which were dramatically altered when Gaudí took over a year later, on what is described as open farmland. In the years that followed, the city was built up around it, but a lack of finance, the Spanish civil war and various periods of abandonment continually delayed its completion.
Gaudí’s elaborate design, which combines the Gothic style with Art Nouveau forms, features 18 impressive steeples, each one symbolising a different biblical figure: the 12 apostles, four evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.
Among the many impressive elements of each tower is the sculpted pinnacle that stands as a symbol for each of the figures. In the evangelist towers, Matthew is represented as an angel, Mark as a Lion, Luke as a bull and John as an eagle.
For the two main towers, the one dedicated to the Virgin Mary will be topped with an illuminated 12-pointed star, while the tower dedicated to Jesus Christ will be finished with a 17-metre high four-armed cross, covered with glazed ceramic tiles and glass.
Photography: Basilica de la Sagrada Familia
