What towers are still missing from the Sagrada Familia? Why is it taking so long to be finished? And most importantly, when will the Sagrada Familia finally be completed? These are some of the questions tourists ask when they visit Barcelona and see the famous cranes surrounding Gaudí’s temple. The construction history dates back to the 19th century, but to this day it remains unclear when we will see it finished. Before the pandemic, 2026 was the expected completion year, but this has changed…
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Table of Contents
- When construction started
- What remains to be built
- Why it’s taking so long
- Sagrada Familia’s estimated finish date
When did the construction of the Sagrada Familia begin?
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, one of Antoni Gaudí’s undisputed masterpieces and a symbol of Barcelona, began construction in a fascinating historical context. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop José María Urquinaona on March 19, 1882, marking the start of one of the world’s longest and most enigmatic constructions.
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At that time, the project was originally led by architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. However, due to creative and financial disagreements, Villar left the project in 1883. That’s when Antoni Gaudí took over, radically transforming the design with his unique vision. Gaudí dedicated over 40 years of his life to the Sagrada Familia, until his death in 1926.
The Sagrada Familia has faced many challenges over the decades, including lack of funding, damage during the Spanish Civil War, and the technical complexities of Gaudí’s visionary design. This project, funded almost entirely by private donations, has continued evolving but always remains true to Gaudí’s designs.
What is still missing from the Sagrada Familia?
The construction of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is approaching its final stage, albeit with significant delays. As of ending 2025, 17 of the 18 planned towers are completed. The current focus is on the Jesus Tower, set to be not only the tallest in the basilica but also one of the tallest structures in Barcelona (172.5 meters). Once completed with its four-armed cross, this tower will reshape the city’s skyline.
The Tower of Jesus is expected to be inaugurated on June 10, 2026, in a ceremony of great historical significance: that date marks the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death (June 10, 1926), and the event will be presided over by Pope Leo XIV. The Vatican officially confirmed that the pontiff will undertake an apostolic journey to Spain from June 6 to 12, with Barcelona as one of its main stops.
Alongside the towers, other projects are underway. Foundations for the future Baptistery have begun, efforts are ongoing to complete the Chapel of the Assumption and the adjacent cloisters. Work has resumed on the side naves’ roofs, and restoration is ongoing for the Nativity Facade towers, the temple’s oldest section. The Glory Facade, a crucial element of the project, remains unfinished due to its complex integration with surrounding buildings.
The Sagrada Familia continues to face logistical and technical challenges. The Sacristy construction will be one of the last parts, as it’s currently used as an entrance and material storage. A direct Metro connection is also considered, although this might be delayed until after the official completion.
Why is the Sagrada Familia taking so long to finish?
Several factors explain the prolonged construction of the Sagrada Familia, making it one of the longest ongoing projects in modern history.
First, Gaudí’s innovative and complex design posed significant technical challenges. The brilliant architect from Reus envisioned a revolutionary design for his time, incorporating intricate structures and shapes that demanded advanced, often experimental, construction techniques. The combination of Gothic and Modernist elements, along with meticulous attention to detail, meant each construction phase was slow and careful.
His sudden death in 1926 was another major setback. By the time he died, only a quarter of the temple had been completed. Constant changes in leadership — with many architects taking over — didn’t help either.
Funding has also been a critical issue. Since its inception, the Sagrada Familia has relied heavily on private donations. This means construction progress has always depended on the availability of funds. Economic crises or periods of low public interest have slowed or even halted the work.
Moreover, 20th-century events also impacted the project. During the Spanish Civil War, parts of the temple were damaged, and original plans and models were lost. Gaudí’s successors had to rebuild and reinterpret his lost designs, adding years to the timeline.
Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted construction. Health restrictions and lockdowns forced temporary halts, causing additional delays. The pandemic also affected funding, as the drop in tourism — a major source of income for the Sagrada Familia — reduced available funds. So remember, when you purchase tickets to the Sagrada Familia, you’re contributing to the project.
Sagrada Familia’s estimated finish date
Until recently, the completion of the Sagrada Família was expected in 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death. However, the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the plans of the Temple’s Construction Board. According to the latest estimates, the Sagrada Família will be finished in 2036, more than 150 years after Gaudí took charge of the project.
In any case, the board is not putting pressure on itself (the works could take even longer), and its main short-term goal is to complete the Tower of Jesus for its inauguration in June 2026, at which point all the towers of the Sagrada Família will be considered finished.
The inauguration of the tower will also have an exceptional historical dimension: Pope Leo XIV will preside over the ceremony, as the Vatican officially confirmed on February 25, 2026. The Pope’s official visit to Spain will take place from June 6 to 12, with his visit to Barcelona and the Sagrada Familia on June 9 and 10, a date that coincides with the exact centenary of Gaudí’s death.
According to the auxiliary bishop of Barcelona, David Abadías, the Pope will preside over a solemn mass, lay a floral offering at the architect’s tomb inside the basilica itself, and bless the tower. It will be the first papal visit to Barcelona in 15 years, as the last Pope to visit the city was Benedict XVI in 2010, when he consecrated the basilica.