LA SAGRADA FAMÍLIA
Construction on the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family (better known as La Sagrada Família, or ‘ The Holy Family’) began in 1882, but – over 130 years later – it remains unfinished. That, however, hasn’t stopped the mighty basilica from becoming one of Spain’s most popular tourist locations, with some 3 million people flocking every year to marvel at the wholly unique architecture of Antoni Gaudí. He may only have seen a quarter of the building finished, but others have stepped in to make sure that Gaudí’s dream is fulfilled.

REACH TO HEAVEN When completed, La Sagrada Família will be the tallest church building in the world
THE PERMANENT BUILDING SITE
It has recently been announced that La Sagrada Família will finally be finished by 2026, on the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death. The great architect lived to see only one tower erected, but construction carried on using the designs and models he left. These were mostly destroyed in 1936 – when anarchists fighting in the Spanish Civil War stormed the building – so plans had to be pieced together from surviving notes. This continues to court controversy, as many have argued that the completed Sagrada Família will be nothing like what Gaudí envisioned.

INSIDE AND OUT Gaudí used gothic and Art Nouveau forms so La Sagrada Família would look a part of nature
ILLUSTRATION: SOL 90, ALAMY X3, GETTY X4
GOD’S ARCHITECT
Antoni Gaudí – who once quipped that his client, God, was in no hurry to see the basilica finished – devoted more than 40 years to La Sagrada Família, believing it was a divine mission. When not working, he lived a life of poverty and fasting. After the 74-year-old died in 1926, from being knocked down by a streetcar, his body wasn’t identified for days as he was thought to be a vagrant.