Sagrada Familia Finally Gets Building Permit After 137 Years

The Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, crafted by Antoni Gaudí, has finally secured a building permit from the city council, 137 years after its construction commenced. This announcement was made by urban planning councilor Janet Sanz on Twitter. The basilica, which was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in November 2010 and attracts over 4.5 million visitors each year, had been built without authorization since 1882. A €36 million agreement for compensation regarding the building's impact has been reached between the city council and the foundation managing its construction, to be disbursed over a decade. The permit still awaits approval for the monumental narthex of the Glory Facade. Gaudí took over the project in 1883, following Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, with a targeted completion year of 2026.