The Sagrada Familia Glory façade completion represents the final major hurdle for Barcelona’s iconic basilica. The city’s skyline is on the verge of its most significant transformation in decades as the Sagrada Familia nears the completion of its vertical structure. However, while the towers rise without impediment, a fierce urban and legal battle is brewing at street level regarding the controversial Sagrada Familia Glory façade.
According to the latest reports, the basilica has now completed 17 of the 18 towers outlined in Antoni Gaudí’s original vision. All eyes are currently fixed on the Tower of Jesus Christ, which is set to stand at 172.5 metres. Once topped with its four-armed cross, it will not only become the highest point of the temple but will also alter the city’s skyline permanently. The completion of this tower is timed to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí’s death in 2026, marking a symbolic milestone for the monument.
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The Battle on the Ground for the Glory Façade
Despite the triumphs above, the Construction Board faces a complex challenge below. The Glory façade, intended to serve as the main entrance to the basilica, requires the construction of a monumental staircase leading out to Mallorca Street. To execute this element of Gaudí’s design, a residential city block would need to be partially demolished. This plan would displace residents and alter the urban fabric of the Eixample district.
This proposal has sparked significant controversy among neighbours and urban planners. Nevertheless, the Construction Board remains firm. Xavier Martínez, the temple’s Director General, recently reiterated that the staircase is an “indisputable” part of the project. He stated the board intends to “carry Gaudí’s will to the end”.
Martínez acknowledged the social and technical difficulties involved. He admitted that the conflict might eventually be resolved in the courts. While the board hopes to complete the entire temple within the next ten years, the staircase remains an independent project. Therefore, it can be executed later if the legal deadlock persists.
Modernising the Surroundings
Meanwhile, the immediate environment of the basilica is already changing. Municipal works have begun on Marina Street to convert the area facing the temple into a large pedestrian plaza. This aims to improve mobility and manage the intense flow of tourists more effectively.
In a gesture to reconnect with the local community amidst the tourist boom, the Sagrada Familia has announced a 50% discount on entry tickets for Barcelona residents throughout 2026. As the basilica approaches its formal culmination, the balance between heritage conservation, city planning, and resident rights remains the final, delicate puzzle to solve.
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