Sagrada Familia milestone
Gaudí’s 144‑year vision hit a new milestone — the Tower of Jesus at Sagrada Familia is complete and set to open June 10 as part of the centenary celebrations (europa.tips). Expect a tourist surge that’ll turbocharge tapas walks and spring food tours across Barcelona — just as Barça’s dominance (clinched CL spot, 29‑point lead over fifth) is keeping the city buzzing (mundodeportivo.com).
Crews installed the upper arm of the summit cross on 20 February 2026, a technical operation the Sagrada Família team described as the final exterior element placed on the central tower. (vaticannews.va)) The central spire now reaches 172.5 metres, making it the basilica’s highest point and one of the tallest religious structures in the world. (archdaily.com)) Sagrada Família officials say interior work on the new tower will continue into 2027 and 2028 even though the external summit element is in place, and architects note that the six central towers that form the temple’s core have now been realised. (vaticannews.va)) The basilica reported 4,833,658 visitors in 2024, a figure the foundation says surpasses pre-pandemic levels and sets a high baseline ahead of the centenary programme. (sagradafamilia.org)) Barcelona has been designated World Capital of Architecture for 2026 and will stage more than 1,500 architecture-related activities across the city from 12 February to 13 December, a calendar organisers expect will concentrate visitor demand on Gaudí sites. (barcelonaturisme.com)) Citywide tourism totals reached roughly 14.5 million visitors in 2024, giving tour operators and local guides numerical context for forecasts of a sharper spring and summer season in 2026. (roadgenius.com)) On the sports front, Barcelona sit atop LaLiga with 73 points after 29 matches while fifth-place Real Betis have 44 points, and the team secured direct qualification to the Champions League last 16 with a 4–1 win over FC Copenhagen on 28 January 2026. (laliga.com))
