Lego honors Antoni Gaudí’s legacy with its largest-ever set, celebrating the Sagrada Família as Barcelona marks the architect’s centennial.
Newsroom (10/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) The Lego Group has announced the release of a detailed model of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of architect Antoni Gaudí. Revealed June 4, the set pays tribute to what Lego described as one of the world’s “most recognizable and ambitious” architectural achievements.
The announcement precedes a significant milestone for the basilica itself. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit the Sagrada Família on June 10 to mark Gaudí’s centennial and formally inaugurate the recently completed Tower of Jesus Christ — the structure’s central and tallest spire.
A Living Landmark Still Under Construction
The Basilica of the Holy Family has been under continuous construction since 1882, making it one of the longest-running architectural projects in modern history. Despite its unfinished state, it has become one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks.
The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ earlier this year marks a major step forward in the basilica’s development. The structure’s intricate design features multiple spires representing central figures in the Christian tradition, including the Twelve Apostles, the four evangelists and the Virgin Mary.
Originally conceived in a neo-Gothic style inspired by the shrine in Loreto, Italy, the project underwent a dramatic transformation early in its history. Following disagreements between its original architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar, and project patron Josep Maria Bocabella, Gaudí assumed control and reimagined the design. His vision reshaped the basilica into a distinctive synthesis of Gothic and organic forms, reflecting both religious symbolism and natural geometry.
Lego’s Most Ambitious Build
Reflecting the scale and complexity of Gaudí’s masterpiece, the newly unveiled Lego set is the largest in the company’s history, comprising 12,060 individual pieces. The model captures key architectural elements, including the basilica’s soaring towers, its intricate Passion façade, and a stylized stained-glass window effect designed to evoke the luminous interior of the real structure.
Lego architecture designer Rok Žgalin Kobe described the project as both a technical and artistic challenge.
“We felt an immense responsibility to do justice to the Sagrada Família through this design,” he said. “Our goal was to honor Gaudí’s vision with the utmost respect, capturing the rhythm of the basilica’s construction, its extraordinary complexity and ambition, and translating that into an immersive building experience.”
He added that balancing accuracy with playability required careful attention to scale and detail, particularly given the basilica’s ongoing evolution.
“This is not only the largest Lego set ever, but a model of one of the most ambitious architectural works in the world,” Žgalin Kobe said. “Balancing scale and precision, while remaining faithful to a living monument that has been evolving for more than a century, was a unique design challenge — and one we’re incredibly proud of.”
Gaudí’s Enduring Spiritual Vision
Beyond its architectural innovation, the Sagrada Família stands as a reflection of Gaudí’s deeply held spiritual beliefs. According to multiple accounts of his life, the architect came to view his work as a means of bringing people closer to God.
This dimension of his legacy has gained renewed attention in recent years. In April 2025, Pope Francis declared Gaudí “Venerable,” formally recognizing his virtuous life and advancing his cause for sainthood.
The convergence of events — the centenary commemorations, the papal visit, and the release of a record-breaking Lego set — underscores the enduring global fascination with both the architect and his unfinished masterpiece.
As the Sagrada Família continues to rise over Barcelona, its influence now extends into new realms, from religious pilgrimage to cultural tourism — and, increasingly, into the hands of millions through miniature bricks that mirror its grand design.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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