Sagrada Familia

Religious Site Barcelona, Spain

The Sagrada Família is a large Catholic basilica, a masterpiece by the architect Antoni Gaudí, the greatest exponent of Catalan modernism. The sheer scale of the project and its distinctive style have made it one of the main symbols of the city. Work began in 1882 under the reign of Alfonso XII of Spain. The building was begun in the Gothic Revival style, but when Gaudí took over as designer of the work in 1883, at the age of 31, it was completely redesigned. According to the auspices of the promoting committee, the work could be completed in 2026, 144 years after the laying of the first stone and 100 years after Gaudì's death.

The church was consecrated still unfinished, on November 7, 2010, by Pope Benedict XVI, who elevated it to the rank of minor basilica.