La Sagrada Familia Basilica, architect Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, gets Spanish building permit – after 137 years
- Church’s first stone was laid in 1882, but Barcelona officials say there is no record showing a construction licence was ever granted
- Permit is valid through 2026, enough time to complete basilica’s central towers
An official building permit has finally been issued for the unfinished Barcelona church designed by architect Antoni Gaudí 137 years after construction started on La Sagrada Familia Basilica.
Barcelona City Hall said on Friday that it has granted the current builders a work permit that is valid through 2026. The builders say that is enough time to finish raising the landmark Roman Catholic church’s central towers.
Barcelona officials said the city will be paid €4.6 million (US$5.2 million) in fees under an agreement negotiated with a foundation devoted to completing and preserving La Sagrada Familia.
The basilica’s first stone was laid in 1882, but Barcelona officials said there was no record showing a construction licence was ever granted although one was requested in 1885.
However, work on the popular tourist destination never stopped.