Sagrada Familia Construction Finally Complete

- While Antoni Gaudí is the celebrated architect, he was not the first. He took over the project in 1883, a year after construction began, radically changing the original Gothic revival design. Gaudí dedicated the last 43 years of his life to the basilica and is buried in its crypt. - The project has been entirely funded by private sources from its inception. Initially relying on donations, construction is now primarily financed by the ticket sales from its millions of annual visitors. In 2024, the Sagrada Família had an income of €133.9 million. - Construction has faced significant interruptions, including the Spanish Civil War, during which some of Gaudí's original plans and models were destroyed. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and impacted the budget, pushing back the initial 2026 completion target for all elements. - The newly completed central tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ, is the tallest of the 18 spires Gaudí envisioned. The other spires represent the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, and the Virgin Mary. - Although the main architectural work is slated to finish in 2026 to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death, final decorative work is expected to continue until 2034. This includes sculptures and a large, controversial stairway planned for the main entrance. - For 136 years, the basilica was built without a proper building permit from the city of Barcelona. This was resolved in 2019 when the church's foundation agreed to pay the city €36 million to cover the costs generated by its activities. - The Sagrada Família was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, specifically recognizing the Nativity Façade and the Crypt as part of the "Works of Antoni Gaudí". Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church as a minor basilica in 2010.