Sagrada Família a giant Basilica under construction since 1882 in Barcelona, by the main Architect Antonio Gaudi, the genius architect whose constructions were the most famous works in Barcelona. Gaudí played an active role in directing the construction of the Sagrada Família until his death in 1926. He would often request that work be modified and adjusted until it was exactly what he had in mind. However today, because of the nature of the existing designs, his work is partly delayed.
Sagrada Familia is in construction for last 138 years — the first stone was laid in 1882 — making it the longest-running active building project on Earth. Gaudí worked on the Sagrada Familia for 40 years, fully devoting the last years of his life to the project. When Gaudí was killed in the 1926 tram accident, his associates were able to keep building based on the architect’s drawings and models. Because of technological and engineering advances, the current chief architect of the Sagrada Familia, Jordi Faulí, is confident that Gaudí’s grand structure — including the tallest church spire in the world at 566 feet (173 meters) — will finally be completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.