Sagrada Família advances in final phase of construction of Temple designed by Antoni Gaudí - Sagrada Família advances in final phase of construction of Temple designed by Antoni Gaudí

The Sagrada Família held its yearly press conference for the La Mercè Open Doors Days to explain the current state of the works. General Director of the Sagrada Família Xavier Martínez and Head Architect Jordi Faulí gave the updates.

Bringing Gaudí’s legacy to the people: Open Doors Days and hundredth anniversary commemorative activities

During the press conference, the General Director of the Sagrada Família explained that one way the organisation works to achieve its goal of opening up the Basilica to the people of Barcelona is through the Open Doors Days, held this year on 24, 25, 26 and 27 September during the La Mercè festivities. This initiative invites 20,000 locals to visit the Temple for free and get a first-hand look at the state of the works. They also get to discover elements that will become part of the Basilica in the future, such as the sculptures of Saint Joseph Oriol and Saint Roch, and one of the four angels that will crown the dome on the Chapel of the Assumption. Another way, Xavier Martínez highlighted, is the special deal launched on 1 January 2026 that gives Barcelona residents 50% off tickets as a way to make it easier for locals to visit the Temple, recognising and cementing its ties to the city.

At the same time, events to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of Gaudí’s death continue, including the “The power of a shared dream” exhibition, featuring a photographic journey through the key moments in this shared dream, highlighting the collective efforts that have made it possible. The programming is available on sagradafamilia2026.org.

Xavier Martínez also discussed the media coverage of the Solemn Mass in Commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and the blessing and inauguration of the tower of Jesus Christ held on 10 June, which appeared 40,846 times in national and international media outlets. The General Director also highlighted the coverage on the Basilica’s official social media channels, which helped amplify these events internationally and reach new audiences. This projection strengthens the international scope of the Sagrada Família in a year that is particularly meaningful for the institution.

With the tower of Jesus Christ completed and blessed, efforts have turned to the Chapel of the Assumption and the Glory façade

Regarding the progress of the works, Basilica Head Architect Jordi Faulí highlighted that one of the most significant milestones of this final phase of construction has been the completion of the exterior of the tower of Jesus Christ, blessed by Pope Leo XIV on 10 June. Now the work is focusing on the inside of the tower and will then turn to installing a lift.

In this line, the press conference featured a video of the interior of the tower, which was designed to represent the story of the heavens. This space will be fully visible in about a year, once the scaffolding has been removed. Construction works are also concentrating on the Glory façade, which Antoni Gaudí designed as the main entrance to the Temple.

Another noteworthy project is the construction of the Chapel of the Assumption on Carrer de Provença and the adjoining sections of the cloister. Dedicated exclusively to the Virgin Mary, work on this chapel continues. Over the past few months, several sculptural elements for the outside of the chapel have been executed, such as the figures of Saint Joseph Oriol, Saint Roch and the angels that will top the pediments and hold up the Virgin Mary’s blue mantle, which hangs from the top of the dome. The stone vault for the tribune eight metres off the ground has also been built, with a railing featuring angels carrying the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Conservation and restoration of the Nativity façade also continues and is moving at a good pace. Restoration works will soon begin on the Simon bell tower.

While works on the Temple advance, the Sagrada Família continues to celebrate Gaudí Year with an extensive programme of activities. More information is available on sagradafamilia2026.org.