La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona has officially concluded its 144-year construction with the recent inauguration of its final tower, the Torre de Jesucristo. The completion marks a significant moment for the basilica, which has been under construction since 1882 and is now the tallest church in the world.
Pope Leo XIV visited the city to inaugurate the tower on June 10, a date that also marked 100 years since the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí. The papal visit was the first to Spain in 15 years.
Tourism Surge Amidst Completion
The completion of the basilica is expected to contribute to Barcelona's already strained tourism sector. Aviation data company Cirium reports that seat availability from the UK alone is up by 8.9 percent. Tripadvisor has seen a significant spike in searches for "Barcelona history tours," and GetYourGuide notes unprecedented interest in the city from global travelers.
This year, Barcelona anticipates a record 30 million visitors, a substantial increase from previous years. While tourism accounts for 13 percent of the city's GDP, the influx has led to a 62.1 percent rise in rent over the last decade due to short-term lets, making the city increasingly inaccessible for its residents.
Future Developments and Resident Concerns
Despite the main structure's completion, plans for a Glory Facade outside the basilica are still under negotiation. Construction for this new element is projected to displace approximately 15,000 residents. Property entrepreneur Camilo Fernandez has voiced concerns, stating, "You cannot celebrate a monument to humanity by making local families feel invisible." He advocates for solutions that protect neighborhoods rather than solely focusing on the city's tourist image.
The culmination of 144 years of work on La Sagrada Familia, begun by Gaudí, is a cause for celebration. However, the ongoing expansion and the record number of visitors highlight a persistent division between the needs of residents and the demands of tourism in Barcelona.