① Gaudi’s Architectural Masterpiece Under Construction for 140 Years
The Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain, has been under construction for 140 years. Construction began on March 19, 1882, and is still ongoing. The Sagrada Familia Cathedral is a structure designed by Antoni Gaudi, often called a genius architect. It is considered one of his most ambitious works.
Seven of Gaudi’s architectural heritage sites built in and around Barcelona have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Gaudi’s architecture significantly contributed to architectural and construction technology development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through his structures, we can understand the architectural trends of the time.
The ‘Casa Vicens’, Sagrada Familia Cathedral’s ‘Nativity facade’, the Sagrada Familia’s worship hall, ‘Casa Batlló’, and the underground worship hall of the *Colonia Güell* Cathedral are one of the must-visit tour destinations in Barcelona.
② Cathedral Reveals Completion Plan for 2026
The Sagrada Familia Cathedral has announced its completion plan 2026, which also marks the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. On the 3rd of last month, five of the six central towers of the cathedral were completed after 140 years. The remaining tower symbolizes Jesus Christ and is expected to be finished with a 56.5-foot cross on top of a 566-foot tower.
With the completion of the final tower, the long construction will also come to an end. When the Sagrada Familia Cathedral is completed, it will surpass the 529-foot *Ulm Minster* in Germany to become the tallest cathedral in the world. The Sagrada Familia Cathedral is designed to accommodate 13,000 people.
The Sagrada Familia Cathedral was built in 1882 according to the design of Francisco de Paula del Villar. However, he withdrew from the cathedral construction, and Gaudi took over in 1883. Under Gaudi’s design, the cathedral was reborn in a completely different form.
Gaudi devoted himself to the construction of the cathedral until his death. At the time of Gaudi’s death in 1926, only 10-15% of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral was built.
After Gaudi’s death, various Spanish architects continued the construction of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. However, due to the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s, the cathedral building had to be left on hold. Even the structures that Gaudi had created were destroyed. The existing parts were left intact, and new designs were adapted.
③ Illegal Construction and Local Opposition·
The Sagrada Familia Cathedral was approved with a building permit 137 years later. The cathedral construction committee agreed to invest $5.3 million in building fees. The building permit is valid until the completion target date of 2026. The Sagrada Familia, which began construction in 1882, has not received a building permit until now.
Gaudi requested a building permit from the authorities in Sant Martí before it was incorporated into Barcelona in 1885, but he did not receive a response. Gaudi died suddenly in 1926 after being hit by a tram. This news broke out to the world in 2016.
The Deputy Mayor of Barcelona stated, “The city council has finally resolved the irregular situation where the symbolic monuments like the Sagrada Familia were being built illegally without a permit.” Currently, the Sagrada Familia is a core attraction in Barcelona. The cathedral attracts 4.5 million tourists annually.
Meanwhile, conflicts with residents are also arising as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral is being completed. A large staircase leading from the cathedral to the main entrance must be built as the completion draws near. Nearly 1,000 residential and commercial properties need to be evacuated during this process. Many houses are at risk of being demolished immediately due to the cathedral. Currently, residents living near the cathedral are raising their voices.
At the cathedral entrance, you can see banners raised by residents opposing the demolition. Their lawyer stated, “We are taking all legal measures to stop the construction work.” He added, “The staircase construction affects the lives of about 3,000 people who have lived near the cathedral for over 30 years, so the city council should make a reasonable decision.”
As the story of the residents who have to leave their homes to complete Gaudi’s architecture is revealed, some predict that the completion of the Sagrada Familia may be delayed due to conflicts with the residents.
By. Sung Min Seo
Most Commented