Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família

The Sagrada Família began its long journey in 1882 under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, but it was Antoni Gaudí who took over a year later and completely reimagined the project. Gaudí combined Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms, creating a structure that looks more like a living organism than a traditional cathedral. He spent the final years of his life almost exclusively on this project, living in his workshop on-site until his untimely death in 1926. After Gaudí passed away, the construction continued under several different architects who relied on his surviving drawings and plaster models. The progress was significantly hampered by the Spanish Civil War in 1936, during which many of Gaudí's original plans and models were destroyed. Despite these setbacks, generations of craftsmen and architects have worked tirelessly to interpret Gaudí's vision using modern technology like 3D aeronautical software. Today, the basilica stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site and was officially consecrated as a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. The ongoing construction is funded entirely by private donations and visitor ticket sales, making it a true 'expiatory' temple built by the people. The anticipated completion date was originally set for 2026 to mark the centenary of Gaudí's death, though it remains one of the longest-running architectural projects in history.