Sagrada Familia church finally gets building permit after 137 years
Seven-year licence will allow work on Barcelona's iconic landmark to be completed in 2026, the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death
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Sagrada Família finally gets building permit 134 years since applying
Licence will cost Antoni Gaudí's landmark church €4.6m, making it the most expensive in Barcelona's modern history
Sagrada Família could be forced to pay taxes, after over a century of unlicensed building
The Sagrada Família is one of the most emblematic, but also one of the most polemic, buildings in Barcelona. With up to 10,000 visitors per day, more than 3 million every year, the most iconic building by Antoni Gaudí is a nightmare for neighbours, who have to deal with congestion in their streets and are afraid that the temple construction works may be expanded beyond the current enclosure. Recently, though, a new controversy has also arisen. After more than a century under construction, Barcelona City Hall has announced that it will request the basilica board to pay taxes and have a building permit, which it does not currently possess. According to the estimations, this licence will demand €840,000 of the Barcelona Archbishop, €8.4 million by 2026, the year in which the works are supposed to be completed.