For more than 140 years, Barcelona’s basilica has been under construction. But funding challenges and political turmoil — including the Spanish Civil War which wrecked many of the models — have slowed progress. While the remainder of the church is still under construction — including decorative elements and a stairwell that would lead to the Glory facade, serving as the principal entrance — the Tower of Jesus marked a major milestone.
Pope Leo XIV recently visited Barcelona to bless the basilica after the tower was erected and commemorate the progress in the century since Gaudí’s death. And now, Lego’s miniature model aims to capture the intricate details and soaring design that have made the church famous in both Barcelona and around the world.
“Designed to reflect both the scale and spirit of Gaudí’s vision, the set offers builders an immersive way to explore the architecture of one of the most complex and celebrated buildings ever conceived,” Lego wrote in a press release.
A record–breaking build
For years, Lego fans have debated which mega-set reigns supreme. The new Sagrada Família officially claims the title by surpassing previous record holders, including the Lego Art 31203 World Map set, which contained 11,695 pieces, followed by the Lego Icons Eiffel tower (10,001 pieces), Lego Icons Titanic (9,090 pieces) and Lego Colosseum (9,036 pieces).
At 12,060 elements, the basilica replica now sits at the top of the company’s all-time rankings.
The finished model measures more than 24 inches tall, 18.5 inches wide and 15 inches deep, making it a centerpiece display item rather than a casual weekend project. Lego recommends that set for builders ages 18 and older, reflecting both its complexity and collector-focused design.
While many Lego Architecture sets focus primarily on exterior details, the Sagrada Família model also creates one of the church’s most celebrated features: its colorful stained-glass windows. Lego designers incorporated translucent elements throughout the interior to mimic the vibrant light effects that flood the real basilica when sunlight shines through its windows.
“We felt an immense responsibility to do justice to the Sagrada Família through this design,” Rok Žgalin Kobe, a Lego Architecture designer, said in the press release. “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.”
One of the most impressive aspects of the set is the construction sequence itself. Builders assemble the model in a way that mirrors the actual development of the basilica, beginning with the foundational Apse and Crypt before progressing through the Nativity and Passion facades. The build concludes with the towering spires, the Eastern Sacristy and the Glory facade, echoing the evolution of the real-world landmark.
