Sagrada Família

The Sagrada Familia (full name Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Famíliacode: cat promoted to code: ca ) is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by architect Antoni Gaudi (1852–1926). Although it is not finished, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In November 2010 it was consecrated (dedicated to a special purpose) and made a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI. Building of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882. Gaudi started working on it in 1883. He took over the project, and changed it with his ideas on architecture and engineering. Gaudi worked on it until he died. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the building was finished. The Sagrada Familia's building was slow. It needed private donations (people giving money to it). It was stopped by the Spanish Civil War—only to start again in the 1950s. Building was more than halfway done after 2010. Some of the project's biggest problems still remain. On 30 October 2025, Sagrada Família became the world's tallest church after a part of its central tower was lifted into place and reached 162.91 m, surpassing Ulm Minster (161.53 m). The central tower was completed and reached its full height of 172.5 m on 20 February 2026. It is exactly one metre lower than the Montserrat Hill in Barcelona. Gaudí said: "My works shall not exceed those of Lord". Gallery References Further reading Zerbst, Rainer (1988). Antoni Gaudi- A Life Devoted to Architecture. trans. from German by Doris Jones and Jeremy Gaines. Hamburg, Germany: Taschen. ISBN 978-3-8228-0074-4. Nonell, Juan Bassegoda (2004). Antonio Gaudi: Master Architect. New York: Abbeville Press. ISBN 978-0-7892-0220-8. Crippa, Maria Antonietta (2003). Peter Gossel (ed.). Antoni Gaudi, 1852–1926: From Nature to Architecture. trans. Jeremy Carden. Hamburg, Germany: Taschen. ISBN 978-3-8228-2518-1. Schneider, Rolf (2004). Manfred Leier (ed.). 100 most beautiful cathedrals of the world: A journey through five continents. trans. from German by Susan Ghanouni and Rae Walter. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7858-1888-5. Other websites Official website of the Construction Board of La Sagrada Família Foundation Sagrada Família Foundation's channel on YouTube Expiatory Church of the Sagrada Familia at Structurae Gaudí and Sagrada Família Barcelona Archived 2013-07-28 at the Wayback Machine Sagrada Familia at Great Buildings Journal of Sagrada Familia – Erke Blog La Sagrada Familia in" Gaudidesigner" web site.