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World’s Oldest Project Set for 2026 Finish After 144 Years
La Sagrada Família in Barcelona has been under construction since 1882.
La Sagrada Família, Barcelona’s iconic basilica, is getting close to completion, with a target finish date in 2026—144 years after construction began in 1882.
Designed by pioneering Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, La Sagrada Família, often regarded as the oldest construction project in the world, is a masterpiece of modernist architecture.
The architectural marvel in one of Spain’s most vibrant cities has taken a long time to build due to design complexity, wars and funding challenges that impacted its progress.
According to a 2019 report, the total construction cost was around £314 million, with annual expenses estimated at €25 million, bringing total spending to about £419 million.
Earlier this year, the Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Familia, the organisation responsible for overseeing the project, announced the closing date saying it was in the final stages of construction.
“The beginning of the final stage of construction kicked off with the completion of the towers of the Evangelists (November 2023), and work is currently underway on the Chapel of the Assumption and the tower of Jesus Christ,” Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Familia.
“The Chapel of the Assumption is expected to be finished in 2025 and the tower of Jesus Christ in 2026,” the organisation added, without giving specific dates.
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Founded in 1885, Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Familia, was established to ensure the continuation of the project after architect Gaudí’s death on June 10, 1926.
La Sagrada Família, which was initially funded by donations, now benefits significantly from tourism, which generated £108.8 million in 2023, with more than half allocated to ongoing construction.
Upon its completion in 2026, the tower of Jesus is expected to be 172.5 metres tall, making La Sagrada Família the tallest church in the world.
World’s Oldest Project Set for 2026 Finish After 144 Years
La Sagrada Família in Barcelona has been under construction since 1882.
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