When Will Sagrada Familia Be Finished?
Okay, so let's talk about the Sagrada Familia—yeah, that crazy, dreamy church in Barcelona that looks like it was built by fairies with an unlimited LEGO budget.
You might've heard people say it's been under construction forever, and they're not wrong.
Work kicked off back in 1882, and now, over 140 years later, we're finally (maybe?) getting close to the finish line.
The big target?
2026, which also marks 100 years since Gaudí died.
There's a lot going on here, from spires and chapels to some staircase drama.
So let's dive in and break down what's coming, what's done, and what might still be cooking for years to come.
Table of Contents
Completion Timeline
Even though 2026 is getting all the attention, not everything's wrapping up that year.
First off, the Chapel of the Assumption is supposed to be ready a little earlier—in 2025.
So that's one part almost checked off the list.
Then comes the big one: the Tower of Jesus Christ, which is not only super symbolic but also set to become the tallest church tower in the world once it's done.
This one's expected to be finished right in time for 2026.
That said, don't expect the scaffolding to disappear completely by then.
Some extra features, like those fancy decorative elements and a controversial staircase leading to the main entrance, might take until 2034 to complete.
Here's a quick breakdown of major parts and estimated completion years:
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Chapel of the Assumption - 2025
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Tower of Jesus Christ - 2026
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Overall main construction - 2026
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Decorative & entrance stairway - 2034 (maybe!)
So yeah, 2026 is a big deal—but it's not the end-end.
Gaudí's Role
Antoni Gaudí wasn't the original architect, but he sure became the face of it.
He jumped into the project way back in 1883, just a year after it started.
From then on, it became his life.
Literally.
He poured over 40 years into the Sagrada Familia, and for the last 15 years of his life, he worked on nothing else.
It was his passion project, his obsession.
Unfortunately, Gaudí died in 1926 after being hit by a tram.
He's actually buried inside the church, which feels kind of poetic.
Even now, the whole design still follows his vision.
Well, as close as modern architects can guess, based on old models, sketches, and writings.
Gaudí was always pushing boundaries, so of course, his designs weren't exactly easy to follow.
Some parts are still being interpreted today—like spiritual puzzles people are trying to solve with 3D models and guesswork.
Major Delays
Let's be real: if this church were a group project, it'd be the one where everyone kept ghosting until the night before the deadline.
One of the biggest setbacks?
The Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
Not only did construction stop, but a bunch of Gaudí's original plans were destroyed during the chaos.
That was a huge loss, because those documents were like blueprints for the whole thing.
Fast forward to more recent times—COVID-19 hit, and everything slowed down again.
Tourism dried up, workers stayed home, and the timeline got pushed back even more.
It's like the universe keeps hitting the snooze button on this thing.
And then there's the classic reason: money.
The Sagrada Familia doesn't have some rich billionaire bankrolling it.
It's all funded through donations and ticket sales, which means progress totally depends on how many people visit or give.
Funding and Future
Yup, the whole thing is being paid for by the public.
No government checks, no massive corporate sponsors—just regular people buying tickets and tossing coins into donation boxes.
And honestly?
That's kinda cool.
It makes the whole place feel more personal, like it really belongs to the people.
Of course, it also means that delays happen.
If fewer tourists show up, the money slows down, and so does the work.
It's a fragile system, but it's worked for over a century somehow.
So what's next?
Once the core structure is done in 2026, there's still more to add: artwork, details, and that fancy stairway people keep debating.
Some folks love Gaudí's vision.
Others think that staircase is going to mess up the neighborhood.
Either way, it looks like the final-final wrap-up might not happen until 2034.
But hey, after 150 years, what's a few more?
So yeah, the Sagrada Familia might actually be finished—sort of—by 2026.
That's huge, especially since that year also honors 100 years since Gaudí passed away.
It's like the universe aligning to finally say, “Okay, let's wrap this up.”
Even though there's still work to do after 2026, getting that Tower of Jesus Christ done is going to be a massive milestone.
And whether or not you're into architecture, this story's just plain wild.
A church that started in 1882, still being built today?
That's kind of beautiful in its own way.
If you're ever in Barcelona, you kinda have to check it out.
Just don't be surprised if there's still scaffolding somewhere.
Sources:
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Official Sagrada Familia website (sagradafamilia.org)
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Articles from BBC, CNN, and Architectural Digest
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Public updates and project documents from the Sagrada Familia Foundation
Disclaimer:
This article is meant for casual reading and general interest only.
All dates and projections are based on publicly available info as of now, but plans can always change—especially when it comes to buildings that take over a century to finish.
Images sources:
Wikimedia.org, Pixabay.com
