Full Breakdown
Sagrada Família’s Final Tower Completed and Inaugurated
6/9/2026, 7:45:30 AM
Final Tower Completed and Inaugurated
In February 2026 a 100-ton stainless-steel cross was lifted onto the central Tower of Jesus Christ, raising the basilica to 566 feet and making it the world’s tallest church. Pope Leo XIV will bless the tower on 8 June, exactly one hundred years after Antoni Gaudí’s death, marking the formal inauguration.
Century-Long Path to Completion
Construction began in 1882; Gaudí was appointed in 1883 and died in 1926 with only about 10-15 % finished. The 1936 anarchist fire destroyed most of his models, forcing later architects to rely on photographs and modern 3D reconstruction. Advanced software, computer-controlled stone-cutting and modular construction have accelerated the final phases. Key milestones include the 2010 nave consecration, 5 million visitors in 2025, and the February 2026 cross installation.
Leadership and Technical Approach
Chief architect Jordi Faulí, leading a team of 27 architects and over 100 builders, oversees the overall design. Mauricio Cortés directed the Tower of Jesus Christ, ensuring the spire remains lightweight while reflecting sunlight by day and glowing at night. The Construction Board stresses that any new staircase must first obtain city approval.
Scale, Funding and Visitor Impact
The basilica now features 18 towers; the new spire adds the 566-foot height and a cross five stories tall, weighing roughly 100 tons. Ticket sales generated more than $150 million last year from nearly five million visitors, contributing to about €240 million in annual revenue across Gaudí’s UNESCO sites. The completion reinforces Barcelona’s status as a global pilgrimage and tourism hub.
Resident Opposition to Entrance Staircase
Local resident Alicia Busquets and association president Salvador Barroso argue that the proposed monumental staircase would require demolition of homes and businesses, a change Gaudí never planned. Barroso says the project is at a standstill until a clear timeline and compensation are secured.
Visitor Impressions
Writer Gijs van Hensbergen described the first view as uplifting, while occasional protests—such as water pistols aimed at tour buses—underscore tensions over overtourism.
Conflicting Timelines for Interior Completion
Faulí estimates the interior may need another 10-20 years, whereas Reuters reports a target completion around 2035. The interior remains unfinished even as the tower is complete.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Out of respect; Gaudí didn't want to surpass the work of the Creation.” — Mauricio Cortés, Architect
- “My client is not in a hurry,” — Antoni Gaudí
- “The people could have his opinion, it's normal, no? But all we build, it's according to Gaudí's ideas.” — Jordi Faulí, Chief Architect
- “We’re at a standstill,” — Salvador Barroso, Association President
Next Steps
The nave interior is slated for completion by 2028, and work on the Glory Facade’s entrance staircase remains pending city approval. Ongoing dialogue between the Construction Board and affected residents will shape the basilica’s final urban footprint.
