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It's been nearly 144 years since construction on this magnificent temple began. To put that into perspective, in that time, our world has completely transformed, from the end of two World Wars to the rise of the internet. And yet, despite still being unfinished, it remains one of Barcelona's most famous landmarks. The structure we're referring to, of course, is the Basílica de la Sagrada Família.

But why has it taken so long to build this church? And will construction really be completed in 2026, as projected? Read on as we explore the remarkable story behind one of the world's most ambitious architectural projects.

What Is the Sagrada Família?

The project of Sagrada Família began in 1882, and, despite being later designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the basilica was originally envisioned by Francisco de Paula del Villar. While Gaudí retained the Neo-Gothic elements—ogival windows, flying buttresses, pointed bell towers—that stood out in Villar's proposal, he ultimately took the conception into a different direction.

In 1883, Gaudí had still been working on other projects that were under his belt, including Casa Vicens and El Capricho, but in 1914 and onwards, he dedicated himself entirely to finishing the Sagrada Família, abandoning everything else and refusing new commissions. He even moved into a workshop next to the church, where he worked devoutly and obsessively until his death in 1926. "My client is in no hurry," he once said, referring to God.

Even before his passing, Gaudí knew that his vision would not be completed in his lifetime. If anything, the slow progress of the temple was deliberate, and he reportedly left drawings, instructions, and models so that future architects could continue what he started.

Why Has Construction Taken So Long?

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As mentioned, the Sagrada Família wasn't meant to be completed in a hurry. But it's not just Gaudí's detailed and complicated vision that has delayed the church's completion. There have been many factors that have affected its construction time. Most recently, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that brought everything to a halt.

At the time of Gaudí's death, the Saint Barnabas bell tower was the only one he lived long enough to see finish, and the Sagrada Família was only around 15-25% complete. During the rise of the Spanish Civil War, vandalism broke out, and photographs and plans of the structure were burned while models were smashed. The only reason the project was able to go on is because the team had been able to recover and reconstruct materials from Gaudí's workshop.

Different architects took over throughout the years, from Gaudí's disciple Domènec Sugranyes in 1926 to Jordi Faulí Oller, who joined the project in 2012. Three years later, in 2015, the Sagrada Família was said to be 70% complete. And yet, we still haven't seen the finished structure in all its glory.

Will It Ever Be Finished?

Though the main structure of the Sagrada Família is slated to be finished in 2026, it's uncertain whether this is still an ambitious date or one to look forward to. Further decorative details and sculptures will still need at least another decade to finish as well. It's now been almost 144 years since the project first started, and 11 years since it was reported to be nearly three-quarters completed. Gaudí was right: with a structure this complex and intricate, he wouldn't have been able to see it in its full, immense form.

One thing's for sure, though: no matter when the day comes, the world's longest unfinished building will be completed. But when it does, it won't mark the end of a project—it'll only just be the beginning.