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With over 140 years of construction, Barcelona's iconic church has surpassed even the Great Pyramid of Giza, which took just 20 years to build. Scheduled to be completed in 2026, the Sagrada Familia has faced wars, crises and even a pandemic, but continues to fascinate millions of visitors every year.
Have you ever imagined a building that has been under construction for over a century? Well, that's the surreal story of the Sagrada Família, Barcelona's most iconic church, which took over 140 years to build. And here's the thing: the pyramids of Egypt, which are gigantic, were completed in about 20 years! Can you believe it?
The person responsible for this architectural marathon is the genius (and patience) of Antoni Gaudí, who dedicated practically his entire life to the project. But, as nothing is simple, wars, economic crises and even a pandemic got in the way, making the work drag on until today.
The beginning of a dream (and an eternity)
The story began in 1882, when an architect named Francisco de Paula del Villar began construction on the church. But the following year, Gaudí took over the project and decided to change everything! He wanted something out of the ordinary, that would combine architecture and nature in a way that had never been seen before.
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And he really succeeded. Gaudí was against straight lines and conventional shapes, so he created columns that imitate tree trunks, details that refer to animals and sculptures that tell biblical passages in a completely different way. The idea was to transform the church into a true monument to faith and creativity.
The challenges that delayed (a lot) the construction
Unfortunately, Gaudí he did not live to see even half of his work completed. In 1926, he was killed by a tram (yes, what an irony of fate!) and left the Sagrada Familia with only 25% completion. The architect Domènec Sugrañes tried to continue the project, but it was not easy.
The Spanish Civil War arrived in the 1930s and brought even more chaos. Much of Gaudí's original plans and models were destroyed, and the architects had to scramble to rebuild everything based on what was left.
After that, construction progressed at a snail's pace, mainly due to lack of funds. And, as if that weren't enough, the COVID-19 pandemic also caused a major setback, further delaying the project.
A work that has become a symbol of Barcelona
Despite everything, the Sagrada Familia is already one of the most visited monuments in Spain. Millions of tourists pass by every year to admire the grandeur of the building – even though it is not yet finished!
The most impressive thing is that every detail of the church has a meaning. The giant columns look like trees, creating the sensation of being inside a stone forest. The facades tell different moments of the life of Christ, with sculptures so realistic that they seem to come to life.
And an important detail: the church is still in operation! Masses and religious events are held there regularly, making the place even more special.
The grand finale is coming (will it be?)
If everything goes as planned (and we know it never does), the Sagrada Família will be completed in 2026. When that happens, the church will have 18 towers – 12 for the apostles, four for the evangelists, one for the Virgin Mary and the largest of all, at 172,5 meters, representing Jesus Christ.
Gaudí always said that no human construction should be higher than nature. That's why the Sagrada Familia was designed to be slightly lower than Montjuïc hill, the highest point in Barcelona.
After so long, It seems like we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (or rather, at the top of the tower!).
