Sagrada Família

A bookseller

A bookseller's idea started it, and Gaudí changed the plan

The bookseller José María Bocabella came back from the Vatican in 1872 wanting to build an expiatory temple, funded entirely by donations. The crypt was begun on 19 March 1882. When the first architect resigned in 1883, Antoni Gaudí took over and changed the design radically.

1936

In July 1936 anarchists set fire to the crypt and the workshop

In July 1936 anarchists set fire to the crypt and broke into the workshop, partially destroying Gaudí's original plans. In 1939 Francesc de Paula Quintana took over site management. The present design is based on reconstructed versions of the plans, as well as on modern adaptations.

By machine

Computers now cut stone that was once carved by hand

Computer-aided design allows stone to be shaped off-site by a computer numerical control milling machine, whereas in the 20th century it was carved by hand. The stone first used came from Montjuïc but became fragile, so since 2018 stone has come from the Withnell Quarry in England.

The tallest

In 2025 it became the tallest church in the world

On 30 October 2025 the Sagrada Família became the world's tallest church when a part of its central tower reached 162.91 m, passing Ulm Minster. The tower reached its full height of 172.5 m on 20 February 2026.

172.5 mthe full height of the central Tower of Jesus Christ

The crypt

Gaudí is buried in the crypt of a church he left a quarter built

Gaudí devoted the rest of his life to the project and is buried in the church's crypt. When he died in 1926 the basilica was between 15 and 25 percent complete. Work then continued under his disciple Domènec Sugrañes i Gras until the Spanish Civil War.