The Sagrada Família to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's Death with a Program of Events Kicking Off in October

The events are part of the joint program of celebrations that the Gaudí Council presented in May; at the Open Doors Days in September, 20,000 people will get to visit the Basilica for free and see one of the scenes that will decorate the inside of the Chapel of the Assumption

BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At a press conference, the Sagrada Família announced the current status of the works on the Temple and the next steps in its construction, which will focus on completing the tower of Jesus Christ and the Chapel of the Assumption. Just months before the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death, the Sagrada Família presented the main events it will hold to commemorate the moment, part of the joint program of celebrations promoted by the Gaudí Council.

Esteve Camps, executive chairman of the Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, explained the institutional background for 2026:

• May 27, 2025: The Gaudí Council presented an extensive program to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death (2026) with joint and specific activities promoted by each institution. The goal is to raise awareness of Gaudí from a scientific, artistic, academic and innovative standpoint.
  July 8, 2025: The Government of Catalonia included this commemoration on the official list for 2026.
• July 9, 2025: The Spanish Government declared it an Event of Exceptional Public Interest (AEIP).

As part of the Gaudí Council's 2026 program, a series of events will be held to engage the public—especially the neighbors of the Sagrada Família—in honoring the legacy of Antoni Gaudí. These milestones will unfold across the coming months, including:

• October 14, 2025: The opening of the academic year for Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacià, with a solemn mass, followed by an inaugural lesson by Dr Jordi Faulí, head architect of the Sagrada Família.
• November 30, 2025: The commemoration of the 100th anniversary of its construction, the Tower of Barnabas will be illuminated and a manifest will be read. The Tower of Barnabas was the only tower finished while Gaudí was alive.
• March 19, 2026: On the feast day of Saint Joseph, a special concert will be performed in the central nave of the Sagrada Família featuring the Catalan Choral Society (Orfeó Català) to celebrate the laying of the cornerstone of the Temple. There will also be a solemn mass dedicated to Saint Joseph.
• June 10, 2026: A mass commemorating the anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's passing, and the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ (more information will be announced in a press conference in the coming months).

Finally, the celebrations at the Sagrada Família will draw to a close with a look to its future and legacy, illuminating the Nativity façade.          

The program will also feature events connected to the World Congress of Architects, the official presentation of the Tour de France teams, and a series of citywide exhibitions exploring the history and significance of the Sagrada Família.

Toward Completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ and Chapel of the Assumption          

In terms of the status and evolution of the works, Head Architect Jordi Faulí explained that one of the most important milestones in this final stretch of construction of the Sagrada Família is the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ. Work is currently underway on the large pieces that will be assembled to make up the cross. So far, the lower arm is ready and will be lifted into place in the coming weeks, as well as the first of the four arms. Preparation of each of these pieces includes installing glass in the windows and other details inside, all done on site at the Temple in a space 54 metres above ground level.

Work is underway on the façades of the Chapel of the Assumption, as well as the sculptures for the Chapel of the Assumption, made by the three artists chosen in the selection process: Mercè Riba, Béatrice Bizot and Teresa Riba.

Vertical construction on the Glory façade, which will be the main entrance to the Temple, has been underway since June 2025.

Funded by Donations and Collaborators for the Commemorative Events

Sagrada Família General Director Xavier Martínez explained that donations and collaborators will fund the events in 2026, as the Junta Constructora's main goal is to complete works on the Temple and, therefore, is putting all its resources towards construction.

Open Doors Days 2025

The Sagrada Família is holding its Open Doors Days for the Mercè festivities, Barcelona's major festival, on September 19, 20, 21 and 24, 2025. This annual event aims to showcase the current progress of the works and offer 20,000 residents the chance to visit the Basilica free of charge. Visitors will get to see the Basilica and, this year, discover one of the bas-relief scenes that will go inside the Chapel of the Assumption, specifically the Wedding at Cana, which will be on display in the materials yard.

For more information about all events, visit https://sagradafamilia2026.org.

Editor's note: Video of construction progress and video/photos from the press conference can be downloaded here: https://tinyurl.com/SagradaFamilia-GMG-0925

Media Contacts (for U.S. Media):
Gabriel Marketing Group (For Sagrada Família)
Michiko Morales, [email protected]
Alexa Kalechofsky, [email protected]

Media Contacts (for Global Media):
Anna Perarnau, [email protected] 
Irene Savall, [email protected]

SOURCE Sagrada Familia