🏛️ There are monuments that are icons of a city. And in Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia is one of them.
This expiatory temple, to which Antoni Gaudí dedicated four decades of work, is the most complex of the numerous projects he undertook in his life.
On 10 June 2026, exactly one century after the architect's death, Pope Leo XIV presided over the solemn ceremony of Blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the last of the eighteen planned in the original design.
With its great cross at 172.5 metres above the ground, La Sagrada Familia has become the tallest church in the world.
At The Sun Places we want you to discover this marvel of architecture, faith and art, staying in our Luxury Apartments in Barcelona.
✨ La Sagrada Familia is a compendium of the Christian faith and, at the same time, a synthesis of the artistic and technical talent of its creator.
The solvency of the original design, captured in plans and models with a clear and coherent philosophy, has allowed successive teams of architects to follow the master's guidelines for a hundred years.
La Sagrada Familia, an exaltation of geometry, light and music, has rightfully become the most visited monument in Spain, with a fame that transcends borders.
The inauguration and blessing of the tower of Jesus Christ is the central event of the Gaudí Year 2026, and already allows us to glimpse the end of the works in the near future.
The structure was completed in 2026, the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death, although work will continue into the 2030s with the construction of a staircase for the entrance and the final decoration of the temple.
📜 History of the Sagrada Familia: Antoni Gaudí's dream
The history of La Sagrada Familia begins in 1882, when the foundation stone of the temple was laid. Antoni Gaudí took over the project in 1883 and dedicated the rest of his life to its construction.
On 10 June 1926, Antoni Gaudí was run over by a tram in Barcelona and died. At that time, the work was barely 25% complete.
Since then, the temple has been continued by different architects who have followed the original plans and models.
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) dealt a severe blow: many models, plans and documents were destroyed. However, the spirit of Antoni Gaudí and the perseverance of subsequent teams have allowed the temple to progress.
In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the basilica and elevated it to the status of a minor basilica. In 2021, Pope Francis sent a video message on the occasion of the inauguration of the tower of the Virgin Mary.
And in 2026, Leo XIV has become the third Pope to visit La Sagrada Familia, blessing the tower of Jesus Christ and thus fulfilling Antoni Gaudí's dream.
🏛️ Architecture of the Sagrada Familia: geometry, light and nature
La Sagrada Familia is a masterpiece of Catalan modernism and one of the most unique architectural works in the world.
Antoni Gaudí conceived the temple as a "stone Bible" in which every element has a symbolic meaning. The three facades represent the Birth, the Passion and the Glory of Christ.
The towers, eighteen in total, are dedicated to the twelve apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. The tower of Jesus Christ, at 172.5 metres, is the tallest and was designed to be visible from any point in Barcelona.
The interior of the temple is a forest of inclined columns that branch out like trees, and the light entering through the stained glass windows creates a dreamlike effect.
Nature, present in Antoni Gaudí's personal universe since childhood, is key to understanding his creations.
🌟 What the Sagrada Familia represents for Barcelona and The Sun Places
La Sagrada Familia is the symbol of Barcelona. It is the most visited monument in Spain and one of the most famous in the world.
It is the place where faith, art and architecture come together, and where millions of visitors from around the world are left breathless by its beauty.
It is a space where the genius of Antoni Gaudí and the perseverance of generations of architects have made the impossible possible.
For The Sun Places, discovering La Sagrada Familia is a natural extension of our philosophy of offering authentic luxury experiences.
That is why our Luxury Apartments in Barcelona are located in the most central areas, just steps from the temple.
Furthermore, La Sagrada Familia is connected to other great attractions of the city that we have explored in other articles: Passeig de Gracia, Casa Batlló, La Boqueria Market and the Coronation of the Sagrada Familia by the Pope.
All of this makes Barcelona a unique destination in the world, and La Sagrada Familia is one of its most treasured jewels.
🏙️ The perfect plan with The Sun Places to discover the Sagrada Familia
Friday: Arrival and first glimpse
- Check into your luxury apartment with The Sun Places on Passeig de Gracia or in the Eixample, just minutes from La Sagrada Familia.
Saturday: Gaudí Day
- Morning: visit La Sagrada Familia. Book in advance to avoid queues and access the Tower of Jesus Christ to enjoy the best views of Barcelona.
- Afternoon: visit Park Güell, another of Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces.
Sunday: Farewell with views
- Wake up late. In the morning, return to La Sagrada Familia to see it in a different light. Discover our Vermouth Route, don't miss it.
- Alternatively, go up to Tibidabo for the best views of Barcelona and see La Sagrada Familia from above.
✨ Ready to discover the Sagrada Familia with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us organise your perfect cultural getaway. We offer priority tickets for La Sagrada Familia, private transfers, reservations at the best restaurants and luxury apartments in the best locations.
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has these ready for you: Luxury Apartments in Madrid, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Luxury Apartments in Córdoba.
© 2026 The Sun Places. All rights reserved