After more than 140 years of construction, Spain's breathtaking Sagrada Familia has finally been given an estimated completion date.
The Roman Catholic church, which is located in the vibrant city of Barcelona, is the country's most renowned tourist destination.
The basilica was designed by celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi - who is buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia.
After designing the Sagrada Familia in the 19th century, Gaudi's vision now welcomes nearly 5 million visitors annually.
Gaudi created the structure with the intention of featuring 18 monumental towers that represent biblical figures - the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus.
However, when Gaudí passed away in 1926, only an estimated 10%-15% of the project had been assembled, including one transept, a crypt, and some of the apse wall.
It has now been reported by La Sagrada Familia Foundation that the monumental basilica will be finished in two years, in the year 2026 - more than 140 years after work began in 1882.
But that doesn't mean a full completion as work on other parts of the world-renowned piece of architecture - such as the sculptures, details, and stairway leading to what will eventually be the main entrance, are expected to continue until 2034.
When the church’s first stone was laid in the 18th century, the site was open farmland but in the following years, the city drastically changed. The stairway, which would stretch across two city blocks, would involve driving out 1,000 families and businesses.
While some Gaudí scholars argue there is no need for the stairway, Esteve Camp, the Executive Chairman of the Junta Constructora, urged that it was always part of the late architect’s project.
"We are following Gaudí’s plan to the letter," he contended, as cited by The Guardian. "We are his heirs and we can’t renounce his project. The plan presented to the local authority in 1915, which was signed by Gaudí, includes the stairway."
He disclosed that they had discussions with the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, over the plans. "I don’t have a crystal ball to tell me when they will make a decision," he added.
Back in 1984, the building was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI for religious worship in 2010.
The completion of the church in 2026 will coincide with the centenary of Gaudi's death. The late architect was buried in the church's crypt.
"The death of Gaudi was one of the first instances to have halted the progress of the church's construction. Ten years later, when the Spanish Civil War broke out, the construction was halted. The vandals who destroyed the models and plans for the basilica did no favors to the progress," the website states.
"Over the years, the construction of Sagrada Familia gained momentum but was temporarily halted again in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic," it continued. "However, the basilica was reopened to key workers in July 2020 and now, the completion of Sagrada Familia is advancing at a promising speed."
"Five generations have watched the progress of the basilica. It is only poetically fitting that the fruition of this one-of-a-kind spectacle is now expected to be finished in 2026, which marks the centenary of Gaudi's death," the page concluded.
If you haven't already booked your tickets to Spain, this is certainly a reason to do so.
