Sagrada Família is almost done after 144 years

Construction of the church that’s taking longer than even your landlord’s effort to fix that leaky faucet is nearly finished. Pope Leo XIV is visiting Barcelona today to inaugurate the Sagrada Família’s 566-foot Tower ⁠of Jesus Christ, the completion of which recently made it the world’s tallest church.Today’s date marks 100 years since the death of the mastermind behind the basilica’s funky design, the legendary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. He took over the project shortly after construction began in 1882, envisioning its ornate towers with intricate sculptural compositions and natural motifs as a stone embodiment of the Bible.After decades of construction delays due to the Spanish Civil War and funding shortfalls, it now stands as Spain’s most recognizable landmark, helping power the country’s tourism boom.But there are earthly concernsNot everyone thinks crowds of Gaudí-stanning gawkers are a godsend:Some locals complain that the surrounding neighborhood has become too touristy, while neighbors oppose a facade plan that would require the demolition of their homes.Sagrada Família hype comes amid a broader anti-tourism backlash blaming Barcelona’s hospitality industry for rising housing costs and for ruining the city’s character.If you can’t make it to Barcelona in person…Lego is releasing a 12,060-piece version of the basilica, which hopefully will not take you 144 years to build.—SK