Which architect designed the Sagrada Família in Barcelona?

Antoni Gaudí designed Barcelona’s Sagrada Família.

Construction of the Basilica and Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family began in 1882, initially under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. Gaudí took over the project in 1883 and transformed its design, developing the highly distinctive forms associated with Catalan Modernism. He worked on the basilica until his death in 1926.

The building combines religious symbolism with structural experimentation. Its façades, towers, columns, and interior geometry draw on natural forms such as trees, branches, and honeycombs. Gaudí planned eighteen towers representing Jesus, Mary, the four Evangelists, and the twelve Apostles; the central tower dedicated to Jesus is intended to be the tallest.

The Sagrada Família remained unfinished for decades after Gaudí’s death. Its construction relies on donations and later on modern design and computer-assisted techniques. The Nativity façade and crypt were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, while the entire basilica remains one of Barcelona’s most recognizable landmarks.