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4d ago

Sagrada Família Reaches Final Height as Church Prepares for Papal Blessing

A papal blessing planned for Gaudí’s centenary marks a ceremonial milestone while significant interior work and a contested main entrance remain unresolved.

Gables and spires are decorated with trencadís, a kind of Catalan mosaic made from colorful ceramics, glass and marble.
Construction of the new tower was directed from an elevated workshop directly above the basilica’s central nave. Components were assembled off-site before being craned into position.
Lawyer and president of the Association of People Affected by the Sagrada Família, Salvador Barroso, argued that the proposed stairway was never part of Gaudí’s plans.
Light streams into the central nave through the stained-glass windows of the Passion Façade, which was conceived in an austere, angular style intended to convey the suffering of Jesus Christ. The atmospheric nave, consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, is almost 150 feet high.

Overview

  • The basilica reached its final structural height in February 2026 when workers installed the cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, making the Sagrada Família the world’s tallest church at 566 feet.
  • The Vatican has scheduled a papal inauguration and Solemn Mass for June 2026 to bless the new tower as part of events marking 100 years since Antoni Gaudí’s death.
  • Construction continues inside the building with architects targeting substantial interior finishing by about 2028, so the site will remain an active work zone for years.
  • Plans for the Glory Facade entrance would require a large staircase and could lead to demolition or relocation of nearby homes and businesses, prompting sustained local opposition and ongoing talks with city authorities.
  • The project is funded mainly by visitor revenue and donations, with roughly five million visitors and about $150 million in ticket income reported recently, and modern methods like digital modeling and prefabrication were used to realize Gaudí’s intent after many original models were destroyed in the 1930s.