Why Sagrada Familia finish date matters now more than ever?

Construction began in 1882 under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, who envisioned a simple neo-Gothic church. But within a year, Antoni Gaudí took over and transformed the vision completely.

Gaudí reimagines the basilica as a symbolic, organic masterpiece unlike anything ever built. But his design was incredibly complex and experimental for the time, leading to slow progress on the construction front.

Gaudí died tragically in a streetcar accident in 1926, with only a fraction of his visionary masterpiece completed. At the time of his death, just one façade, the crypt, and a single tower stood.

During the Spanish Civil War, rioters destroyed Gaudí’s workshop, including precious models and plans. Work halted for years, and architects had to rely on a mix of photographs, notes, and the memories of Gaudí’s apprentices to move forward.

Construction resumed but at a crawling pace. Without state or church funding, progress depended entirely on private donations. The lack of resources and ongoing debate about whether to even finish Gaudí’s vision meant decades of minimal development.

The pace picked up in the '90s, thanks to computer-aided design. Digital modeling helped crack Gaudí’s complex geometries and made building the intricate forms possible. But even with technology, construction remained painstaking slow.

The interior was finally finished and consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI, marking a symbolic milestone. Yet major façades and central towers were still under construction.

Just as momentum had built up, the pandemic brought everything to a stop. With tourism shut down, the basilica lost its main source of funding—ticket sales—and work paused for over a year.

The tallest tower, standing 172.5 meters high, is now expected to be finished by 2025. It will redefine Barcelona’s skyline and bring Gaudí’s spiritual vision closer to reality.

This year marks 100 years since Gaudí’s death and Sagrada Familia is set to complete all six central towers and main façades. While it won’t be the absolute final touch, it’ll represent the architectural completion of the basilica.

The last elements like the monumental Glòria staircase and some urban features are projected to be completed by 2034 or 2035. These are delayed mainly due to urban planning issues, as nearby residential buildings stand where Gaudí had planned grand access steps.