After 144 years, Sagrada Família reaches its peak; can Barcelona handle the crowds?

Barcelona’s Sagrada Família has reached its full height after the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, capping 144 years of construction and making the basilica the tallest church in the world at 172.5 metres.

The milestone comes as the project edges closer to the long-delayed finish of Antoni Gaudí’s most famous work, even though the church is not yet fully complete.

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A splendid triumph, and quite the crowd besides

The latest stage of work has also drawn fresh attention to the church’s role as one of Barcelona’s biggest tourist magnets.

Last year, visitor numbers hit a record 4.9 million, while the basilica’s leaders say the building’s maximum capacity cannot change even when construction is finished.

Reuters reported that the post-pandemic rebound in tourism has helped fund the project but also underlined how crowded the site remains.

Not quite the final curtain just yet

Project chairman Esteve Camps told the team it had learnt to be cautious after the pandemic hit visitor revenue and pushed completion beyond an earlier 2026 target.

He said the project could be finished in about a decade, adding it was “likely that in 10 years we could be finished".

Pope Leo has been invited to lead a commemoration mass and opening ceremony next June, pending a Vatican response.

Progress arrives with neighbours in protest

Even as the tower rises, disagreement continues over what remains to be built around the basilica.

Local authorities have yet to approve plans for a large staircase outside the main gate, a project that would probably require demolishing at least one residential building and has already triggered protests from neighbours.

The proposed stairway could require rehousing between 1,000 and 10,000 people, depending on the plan adopted.

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Gaudí's legacy and the unfinished vision

The debate goes beyond urban planning and into the question of Gaudí’s legacy.

The Guardian reported that the church is still years away from full completion, with the Glory façade and the contentious stairway left to resolve.

Architect Jordi Faulí has argued that Gaudí left detailed drawings and instructions for successors, while critics have long questioned whether modern builders are staying true to the original vision. For many visitors, though, the basilica remains a place of intense awe; Reuters quoted architect and Gaudí expert Chiara Curti as saying the Sagrada Família creates “a before and after."

FAQs

Q1: Why is Sagrada Família's completion causing controversy in Barcelona?

Ans: The debate centres on tourism pressure and a proposed staircase project that could require demolitions and the relocation of nearby residents.

Q2: Is Sagrada Família finally finished after 144 years?

Ans: Not yet. The basilica has reached its full height, but work on parts of the Glory façade and the planned staircase is still pending.