The story of Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family

Gaudí is said to have joked about this church's endless building site: "My client is not in a hurry." Construction began on 19 March 1882 under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, and in 1883 Gaudí took over, transforming the project with a blend of Gothic and curving Art Nouveau forms. He devoted the rest of his life to it and is buried in its crypt; when he died in 1926, less than a quarter was complete.

Relying solely on private donations, the work moved slowly. In July 1936 anarchists set fire to the crypt and partly destroyed Gaudí's original plans, so later builders worked from saved material, published plans and photographs. On 7 November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church as a basilica.

Now look up at the central Tower of Jesus Christ, completed in 2026: at 172.5 m, it makes this the world's tallest church.