Barcelona’s most iconic landmark, the Sagrada Família, is entering its final construction phases, bringing the world closer to witnessing the completion of this architectural marvel. The unfinished masterpiece of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, started in 1882, will see its Jesus Christ tower completed in 2025, followed by the Chapel of the Assumption in 2026.
The imposing and chaotic design of the Sagrada Família is a testament to Gaudí’s genius. When Gaudí took over the project in 1883, he transformed the original design into his enigmatic style, combining Gothic and Art Nouveau forms. However, by the time of Gaudí’s death in 1926, the church was only a quarter finished. The Spanish Civil War further delayed the construction, and as of 2024, the Sagrada Família remains the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Architects are aiming for the entire construction to be complete by 2034.
The latest announcement from the church reveals plans to complete crucial elements of this intricate 19th-century design. General Director Xavier Martínez and head architect Jordi Fauli announced that work to complete the tower of Jesus Christ, a significant milestone in the church’s construction, will be completed by 2025. The final panel is expected to be installed on the tower in late 2024 for its 12th level, before work starts on the tower’s cross pinnacle, completing the project. The cross pinnacle will be a 17-meter-tall and 13.5-meter-wide cross clad in glass and white enameled tiles. The ceramics will include curved and pyramid pieces, and there will be windows with three layers of curved, laminated glass with ground, polished pyramids and textures.
After the completion of the Jesus Christ tower, work will begin on the Chapel of the Assumption. This year, construction progressed on the lower ground floor and ground floor of the cloisters adjacent to the chapel. With this completed, the crane will be moved to make room for the chapel. Four of the five sections of the roofs on the side naves on the Passion and Nativity facades have been finished. “These roofs, which were started in 2019 and stand 30 metres off the ground, collect and channel water, insulate the Basilica with a ventilated chamber like an attic, and let light in through pyramidal lanterns,” said Fauli.
The Sagrada Família project was originally led by architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. He resigned in 1883, and Gaudí was brought on to the project, becoming Architect Director in 1884. With Gaudí at the helm, the plans for the church became bolder and more ambitious. Amalgamating his unique styles exhibited throughout Barcelona, Gaudí worked tirelessly at the project, making it his sole focus from 1915 until his death just over a decade later. Asked about the long construction time of the church, Gaudí famously quipped: “My client is not in a hurry.”
During the Spanish Civil War, which broke out in 1936, construction of the church was paused and much of the unfinished basilica and the architect’s models were destroyed. Throughout the 20th century, work continued slowly on the project. Sped up by the advent of computer-aided design, the 21st century has seen the church start to resemble completion.
Gaudí’s eccentric design includes unique features to Catholic churches, but also unique features to buildings in general. There are no exact right angles anywhere to be found on the church, and very few straight lines. Its three facades represent unique elements of Christian theology. The east-facing Nativity facade was completed before the war and most closely resembles Gaudí’s plans. The Passion facade was completed in 1976 and follows the original plan with the addition of controversial grotesque figures of Christ during the passion, designed by Josep Maria Subirachs. Finally, the Glory facade started construction in 2002 and is yet to be finished but will depict ascension with scenes from heaven, hell, and purgatory.
