🛠️ Sagrada Família in Its Final Stretch: The Last Year(s) of Construction and Upcoming Celebrations in Barcelona

Barcelona’s beloved basilica, the Sagrada Família, has stood as a symbol of unending creativity and devotion for nearly 144 years — and now it’s finally reaching its historic completion. Designed by the genius architect Antoni Gaudí, this extraordinary structure has long fascinated visitors from around the world. And now, as construction enters its last phase, Barcelona is preparing to mark this monumental milestone in style.

🏗️ Where Construction Stands Today

Despite pandemic-related delays, recent progress on the Sagrada Família has been remarkable:

• The central tower of Jesus Christ, which will bring the basilica to its full height of around 172 m (making it the tallest Christian church in Europe), is slated for completion around late 2025–2026.

• In late 2025, the tower already surpassed 162.91 m, exceeding the height of Germany’s Ulm Minster, and signals the final stretch of construction.

• The completion target of the main structure is 2026, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death on 10 June 1926.

• Some decorative details and additional elements — such as planned sculptural work and the controversial exterior stairway — may continue into the early 2030s; however, the basilica itself will be functionally complete by 2026.

This final phase of building is not just technical — it symbolizes the culmination of over a century of visionary architecture and craftsmanship. Millions of visitors a year help fund the works, making every ticket part of Barcelona’s living masterpiece.

🎉 Festivities Marking the Completion

🎨 Centenary Celebrations — 2025 & 2026

Barcelona is preparing celebrations that span late 2025 into 2026, turning the completion of the Sagrada Família into a year-long cultural moment:

• October 2025 onwards: A full program of events will kick off coinciding with the final construction milestones and public engagement initiatives.

• 10 June 2026 — Centenary Tribute: The official highlight will commemorate 100 years since Gaudí’s death. City organizers have invited the Pope (Pope Leo XIV) to preside over a solemn mass, making this a religious and cultural landmark moment for Barcelona.

• Cultural exhibitions, architectural tours, concerts, and lighting displays are expected across the city’s squares and museums to honor both Gaudí’s legacy and the basilica’s future as a completed monument.

This is not just a construction milestone — it’s a celebration of artistic heritage and Barcelona itself.

📅 What to Expect as a Visitor

If you plan to visit during this historic moment:

• Book tickets early: Completion draws a surge of visitors year-round.

• Guided tours: New spaces like the Tower of Jesus Christ and the Chapel of the Assumption will be major highlights.

• City events: Expect vibrant festivities throughout Barcelona — from music festivals and light shows to exclusive cultural programs centered on Gaudí’s influence.

🏙️ Barcelona Comes Together

The completion of the Sagrada Família — a project begun in 1882 and continued long after Gaudí’s death — represents not just the finishing of a building, but the arrival of a new chapter for Barcelona’s identity on the world stage. From architectural admirers to local residents, the excitement is building as the final stones are put into place.

Stay tuned to our Sea-Barcelona blog for updates on events, travel tips, and the best ways to experience this once-in-a-lifetime cultural celebration in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities.