The Glory Facade: What’s Next for the Sagrada Familia After 2026?

The Glory Facade: What Happens After the 2026 Tower Completion?

For over a century, the international media has focused on a single date: 2026. This was the year Antoni Gaudí’s "Unfinished Symphony" was supposed to finally reach its peak. And in February 2026, it did. With the final hoisting of the 17-meter cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, the structural silhouette of the Sagrada Familia is, for the first time, complete.

But for us Barcelona lovers and architecture enthusiasts, the question is: What happens now? Contrary to popular belief, the removal of the main cranes doesn't mean the work is over. The "Final Act" of the Sagrada Familia is just beginning. This is the era of the Glory Facade, a project so ambitious and controversial that it will define Barcelona’s urban planning for the next decade. Here is what the post-2026 landscape looks like for the world’s most famous church.

1. The Glory Facade: The Final Entrance

The Glory Facade, located on the south side (Carrer de Mallorca), was intended by Gaudí to be the most spectacular of the three. While the Nativity represents "Birth" and the Passion represents "Death," the Glory represents "Resurrection and the Path to God."

• The Artistic Commission: In late 2025 and early 2026, the Board of Trustees commissioned three world-renowned artists—Miquel Barceló, Cristina Iglesias, and Javier Marín—to create the artistic proposals for this facade.

• The Visual Scale: Expect a riot of bronze, fire, and stone. The facade will depict Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, culminating in a monumental set of doors that explain the entire history of humanity.

• The Timeline: While the towers are done today, the intricate carving and installation of the Glory sculptures are estimated to continue until 2034 or 2035.

2. The Controversial Grand Staircase

The most debated part of the 2026 post-completion phase is the Grand Staircase. In Gaudí’s original 1916 sketches, he envisioned a massive bridge crossing over Carrer de Mallorca, leading to a grand plaza.

• The Urban Conflict: To build this staircase as Gaudí intended, the city would need to demolish several existing residential buildings across the street, affecting hundreds of residents.

• The 2026 Status: As of March 2026, negotiations between the Basilica Foundation and the Barcelona City Council are ongoing. This "bridge" remains the final hurdle in the church's 144-year construction permit.

• The "Two-Phase" Completion: Many experts believe the interior and towers will be celebrated in 2026, while the external staircase will remain a legal and architectural project for the 2030s.

3. The Chapel of the Assumption

While the towers dominate the sky, work is also moving horizontally. The Chapel of the Assumption, located on the Carrer de Provença side, is currently under construction.

• The Purpose: This chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and will serve as a space for quiet, smaller liturgical services.

• The Architecture: It follows a "cloister" design that will eventually wrap around the entire Basilica, creating a protected buffer between the sacred space and the busy city streets of the Eixample.

4. The Interior: From "Stone" to "Spirit"

In 2026, the interior is structurally finished, but the artistic "skin" is still evolving.

• The Altars and Organs: Now that the central nave is fully enclosed and the Jesus Tower provides its final acoustic resonance, the installation of the grand pipe organs will begin. The goal is to have an instrument that can be heard clearly in every corner of the 9,000-capacity nave.

• The Light Calibration: With the final skylights (hyperboloids) of the Jesus Tower now in place, the "light canvas" of the interior is being fine-tuned. You may notice subtle changes in the glass as the architects ensure the light falls exactly as Gaudí planned for the "Centenary masses."

5. The Evolution of Your Visit

If you have used Sagrada Familia tickets in the past, a 2026 visit will feel radically different.

• The "Skywalk" Experience: Now that the towers are finished, the 2026 visitor route is expected to include a new "High-Level Walk" connecting the different Evangelist towers, providing a closer look at the 2026 cross.

• Digital Immersion: The Museum has been upgraded for the Centenary to include a permanent VR (Virtual Reality) exhibit titled "The Completed Vision," allowing you to see what the Basilica will look like in 2034 once the Glory Facade is finished.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the Sagrada Familia finished in 2026? The towers and the main structure are finished, but the decorative work on the Glory Facade and the main entrance will take another 10 years.

2. Can I see the Jesus Tower cross? Yes! As of February 20, 2026, the 17-meter cross is in place and visible from all over Barcelona.

3. Will they stop charging for tickets after 2026? No. Ticket revenue is essential for the ongoing artistic work and the maintenance of the monument.

4. When will the main entrance (Glory Facade) open? It is currently in the early stages of sculpture installation; the target for full completion is 2034.

5. Is the staircase going to be built? The Foundation says "yes," but it is currently a legal dispute with the city and local neighbors.

6. Who are the artists for the new facade? Miquel Barceló, Cristina Iglesias, and Javier Marín.

7. Does the 2026 completion change my tour? Yes, the 2026 tours focus more on the height of the towers and the new central perspectives.

8. Is there a "Closing Ceremony" for the construction? No, there is a "Celebration of Completion" for the towers on June 10, 2026, but the site remains "active."

9. Is the interior still under scaffolding? Most of the nave is clear, but you may see small sections of scaffolding near the south entrance (Glory Facade).

10. Can I still hear the construction noise? It is much quieter now. Most remaining work is "artistic" rather than "structural."

11. What is the height of the tallest tower? Exactly 172.5 meters.

12. Is the "Glory Facade" part of Gaudí's original design? Yes, it was part of his most detailed sketches before he died in 1926.

13. Why did it take 144 years? Due to the loss of Gaudí’s models in 1936, financial constraints, and the sheer complexity of the geometry.

14. Is the Pope coming in 2026? An official invitation was sent to the Vatican for a solemn mass on June 10, 2026.

15. Will the cranes finally be gone? The massive "Jesus Tower" cranes are being removed, but smaller ones will remain for the Glory Facade.

16. Is the "World Capital of Architecture" event related to this? Yes, Barcelona was chosen for 2026 specifically to coincide with this milestone.

17. Can I see Gaudí’s tomb after the 2026 completion? Yes, the Crypt remains accessible as it has been for years.

18. What is the "Chapel of the Assumption"? A new chapel on the Provença side currently under construction.

19. Will the Basilica ever look "old"? The new stone will weather over time to match the historic Nativity Facade.

20. What is the next big date? 2034—the projected final completion of every decorative element on the Glory Facade.