Sagrada Família: Barcelona's Unfinished Basilica

Sagrada Família is a Catholic basilica in Barcelona's Eixample district. Gaudí combined Gothic and Art Nouveau forms.

Construction began on 19 March 1882. Gaudí took over in 1883 and died in 1926 with under a quarter finished.

The central nave vaulting finished that year.

In July 1936, anarchists burned the crypt and workshop. Original plans were partly destroyed, rebuilt from photos.

Computer-aided design and CNC milling now shape stone off-site. In the 20th century, stone was carved by hand.

On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated it. 6,500 attended inside; 50,000 watched outside.

Since 2018, stone comes from Withnell Quarry near Chorley. Montjuïc quarry rock became too fragile at depth.

Fourteen of 18 spires are complete. The tallest, for Jesus Christ, is 172.5 metres—shorter than Montjuïc hill.