The iconic Sagrada Família has admitted that its long-debated Glòria staircase project is almost certain to face legal challenges. The monumental staircase, designed by Antoni Gaudí as the main entrance to the basilica, would cut through Carrer Mallorca and could affect up to 1,000 flats in the surrounding area.
Esteve Camps, president of the Junta Constructora, confirmed during a press conference that while negotiations with Barcelona City Council are progressing in a ‘sincere and pleasant’ atmosphere, opposition from residents means legal appeals are inevitable. ‘There will be people who will challenge the modification of the metropolitan plan, and we are prepared for that,’ he said.
The construction board insists the project is ‘indisputable’ and aims to start works in 2027 if judicial delays do not intervene. The grand design includes a vast stairway and a bridge across Carrer Mallorca, fulfilling Gaudí’s original vision. However, local residents argue that the plan would devastate the neighbourhood and disrupt hundreds of lives.
The board’s strategy is first to secure approval from the City Council for the necessary urban planning changes. After a six-month public consultation period, the matter is expected to move through the courts, possibly reaching the Supreme Court. Camps maintained that the works will go ahead but admitted the timeline is uncertain, depending on the pace of the judicial process.
If everything proceeds without major obstacles, the Glòria staircase could be completed within a decade, coinciding with the projected full completion of the basilica.
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