Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus

After 144 long years of construction, Spain’s Sagrada Familia was finally slated for completion in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudi’s (the original architect) death.

Now, however, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project is going to miss that completion date. Construction was halted back in early March when Spain went into a national lockdown. Work is expected to begin again in the next few weeks, as long as the virus doesn’t spike. After announcing the reactivation of construction, the Delegate President of the Sagrada Familia Construction Board, Esteve Camps, said the Tower of the Virgin, the project’s second tallest spire at approximately 452 feet, is anticipated for completion in 2021.

When completed, the Sagrada Familia will feature 18 towers with the highest reaching 564 feet into the air. According to the Sagrada Familia Construction Board, “Currently, all the levels of the tower are already in place and only the elements of the 25-meter terminal are missing, which will be crowned by an illuminated twelve-pointed star.” In addition to the tallest spire, the main facade, which is known as the Glory Facade, still needs to be completed, as well. No new completion date has been provided.