TL;DR
The central Tower of Jesus Christ (172.5 m) was completed in 2026 — the centenary of Gaudí's death — making Sagrada Família the world's tallest church. Visitors cannot ascend the central tower; only the Nativity and Passion apostle towers offer public access. The 2026 milestone has brought a surge in visitors, particularly May–September; plan further ahead than usual and book tickets 3–4 weeks in advance.
The 2026 Milestone in Context
Antoni Gaudí died on 10 June 1926, struck by a tram on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes while walking to his daily prayers at Sant Felip Neri church. He was 73, worn from decades of devoting himself almost entirely to the Sagrada Família, and died three days later in a charity ward after initially being unrecognised. The year 2026 marks the centenary of that death.
That the central tower should be completed in this exact year was a goal the Fundació Junta Constructora had worked toward for over a decade. It was, in the end, achieved — though with pandemic delays and supply-chain disruptions that made it uncertain until late in 2024.
Tower Completion Timeline
| Tower Group | Number of Towers | Height | Status (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apostle towers (Nativity side) | 4 | ~107 m | Complete — visitor access via elevator+stairs |
| Apostle towers (Passion side) | 4 | ~107 m | Complete — visitor access via elevator+stairs |
| Evangelist towers | 4 | ~135 m | Completed 2023–2025 |
| Tower of the Virgin Mary | 1 | ~138 m | Completed 2021 |
| Tower of Jesus Christ (central) | 1 | 172.5 m | Completed 2026 — no public access |
Can You Go Up the Central Tower?
No — the central Tower of Jesus Christ is not open to visitors. It is a structural and symbolic element, not a visitable space. The only towers with public access remain the Nativity and Passion apostle towers, both of which involve an elevator and a spiral staircase descent.
Comparing the visitor towers in detail — which to choose, step counts, and safety notes:
Nativity vs. Passion Tower: Full Comparison →What Is Still Under Construction?
The building is not fully finished. The Glory façade (the main, south-facing entrance) remains incomplete — it is the largest of the three façades and is expected to take until the mid-2030s. Interior finishing, the surrounding esplanade, and façade detailing continue. Visiting in 2026 means you see a building in a historic transitional state: structurally complete overhead, still unfinished at ground level.
Practical Impact on Your Visit
- Crowd increase: the 2026 centenary has driven a notable uplift in visitor numbers, particularly from Catalan diaspora and architecture enthusiasts worldwide
- Book further ahead: 3–4 weeks in advance is now the realistic minimum for weekend visits; 1–2 weeks for weekday slots
- Neighbourhood congestion: the Eixample streets around the basilica (particularly Carrer de Mallorca and Avinguda de Gaudí) are busier in 2026 — allow extra time in your approach
- New temporary exhibitions: a centenary exhibition on Gaudí's life and death runs in the museum below the basilica through December 2026
- Photography vantage points: the completed skyline is best photographed from Carrer de Lepant (east) or the rooftop of nearby Mercat de l'Abaceria
If you've arrived and tickets are sold out on the day:
Emergency Ticket Strategies for Sagrada Família →Ready to visit?
Book fast-track entry tickets and skip the queue. Instant email delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sagrada Família now completely finished?
No. The central tower is complete, which means the building's full height has been achieved and the overall skyline is now as Gaudí intended. However, the Glory façade (main entrance, south side) remains unfinished and construction work continues on several exterior and interior elements. Full completion is projected for the mid-2030s, though that timeline has been revised several times historically.
What is the significance of the 2026 centenary?
Gaudí died on 10 June 1926, making 2026 the centenary of his death. For the Catalan cultural identity — and for the global architecture world — this was always the symbolic target for completing the central tower. The coincidence of architectural and historical timeline gave the 2026 completion exceptional resonance beyond just the building itself.
Has the building been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes — the Sagrada Família was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, along with several other Gaudí works in Barcelona. This status is separate from the 2026 completion milestone, but the centenary year has increased global attention on the site's heritage significance.
Ready to visit?
Book fast-track entry tickets and skip the queue. Instant email delivery.
