To commemorate the centennial year of the death of famed architect Antoni Gaudí, who designed Spain’s Sagrada Família basilica, The Lego Group has announced a new model kit of the church, calling it one of the world’s “most recognisable and ambitious” buildings. Source: NCR Online.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit the church in Barcelona today to mark the anniversary of Gaudí’s death and inaugurate its recently completed tower.
The still-unfinished Basilica of the Holy Family in Barcelona has been under construction since 1882. Its central and tallest spire, the Tower of Jesus Christ, was finished in February. Its other spires each represent central figures in the Church, including the Twelve Apostles, the four evangelists and the Virgin Mary.
The original neo-Gothic design of the basilica, intended to resemble the shrine in Loreto, Italy, was altered two years after the laying of the cornerstone due to differences between Bocabella and the project’s first architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar. The project was then continued by Gaudí (1852-1926).
Over the course of his life, Gaudí came to see his architecture as an effort to bring people closer to God, according to multiple accounts of his life. His sainthood cause is underway. He was declared “Venerable” by Pope Francis in April 2025.
The Sagrada Família set – containing 12,060 separate Lego pieces – is the largest Lego building set ever released, by piece count, the company said. The set includes a stained-glass window effect and other details, such as the basilica’s Passion facade and towers. Available for pre-order now and shipping from November 1, the set will retail in Australia for $1299.99.
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Lego announces new set designed after Spain’s Sagrada Família basilica (OSV News via NCR Online)
