Foto ncregister.com.
Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882. A year later, Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, who devoted most of his life to the basilica, took over management of the project. By the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the planned complex had been completed.
Despite the Spanish Civil War, financial difficulties and complex engineering challenges, construction continued for decades. Today, the temple remains one of Europe’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of Barcelona. In 2025, it was visited by a record 4.87 million people, and ticket revenues exceeded $150 million.
The consecration ceremony of the central tower is timed to coincide with the centenary of Gaudi’s death. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other dignitaries are expected to attend the solemn mass.
For many Barcelona residents, the completion of a key phase of construction was an event of personal significance. Mateu Hernandez, CEO of Visit Barcelona, said in an interview with The Art Newspaper that seeing the temple in its current, almost completed form is like rediscovering a familiar cityscape.
“It’s always been part of our lives – growing up with the city. But now it feels like seeing it for the first time,” he said.
The celebrations will coincide with another important event for the city: Barcelona has been awarded the status of World Capital of Architecture. From June 28 to July 2, it will host the UIA World Congress of Architects, which will bring together specialists from all over the world.
Antoni Gaudi, born in 1852 in Reus, is considered one of the key figures of European Art Nouveau. In addition to the Sagrada Familia, his most famous works include Park Güell, Casa Batlló and Casa Mila, which have become architectural symbols of the Catalan capital.
The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ was the biggest milestone in the history of the Sagrada Familia since Gaudí’s death and brought to completion one of the longest construction projects in the world, worked on by several generations of architects and builders.
