Sagrada Familia is set to achieve completion in 2026

Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia is set to achieve completion in 2026, a momentous milestone in its 140-year-long construction journey. This announcement, confirmed by officials, heralds the finishing touch to the basilica's architectural marvel.

The culmination of this awe-inspiring project will be marked by the construction of the last of six towers, as revealed by the organization overseeing the Sagrada Familia. The Chapel of the Assumption is slated for completion in 2025, with the tower of Jesus Christ following suit in 2026.

The tower of Jesus Christ will soar to an impressive height of 172.5 meters and will be adorned with a striking 17-meter-tall, four-armed cross, adding to the grandeur of the cathedral.

Designed by the visionary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Familia's architectural concept features 18 towering, spindle-shaped structures, each symbolizing a different biblical figure. These include the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus.

Construction of the Sagrada Familia started in 1882 under Gaudí's direction, but by the time of his passing in 1926, only a fraction of the project was completed. Progress was further hindered by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s, which resulted in the destruction of many of Gaudí's designs and models.

Despite these setbacks, work continued based on surviving and reconstructed materials, along with reinterpretations of the original plans. In 1984, the Sagrada Familia was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognizing its cultural and architectural significance. It was later consecrated for religious worship by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

The Sagrada Familia's construction faced legal challenges for 137 years until 2019, when it finally received a building permit from Barcelona's city council. The revelation that the church had been constructed without proper planning permission was discovered only in 2016, marking a significant turning point in its long and storied history.

As the Sagrada Familia prepares to stand as the world's tallest church, surpassing Germany's Ulm Minster, its completion in 2026 will not only be a triumph of architectural prowess but also a testament to human perseverance and dedication.