Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia has reached a point that many people thought they would never see. After 144 years, the church has finally been completed with the newest addition, the Tower of Jesus Christ. I find it so unbelievable to not only be alive at the same time as the Sagrada Familia being finished, but also to be in Barcelona two weeks before its inauguration. This was an indescribable cultural experience to witness. The architecture was breathtaking, especially at night.

Many people refer to the Sagrada Familia as Gaudí’s masterpiece. Antoni Gaudí was the cathedral’s original architect. Gaudí passed away after working on the church for 44 years. This means that his masterpiece wasn’t complete for another 100 years, and Gaudí never got to see it. In my study abroad program, Global Health in Spain, we learned all of this while touring one of Gaudí’s other projects, Park Güell. Park Güell was a failed gated community that has gorgeous, unique architecture designed by Gaudí. The entire area has been converted into a popular park where people can go and overlook the whole city.

Culturally, both of Gaudí’s works created an amazing atmosphere in Barcelona. Many locals were buzzing with excitement about the Pope’s visit to the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ. Spain is a very catholic country, so the head of the catholic church coming to Barcelona was a huge deal for the citizens. Not only was the completion a big celebration for the locals, but many people were flocking to Barcelona in the weeks leading up to the Pope’s visit to see Gaudí’s masterpiece themselves. This was an incredible opportunity to witness and be a part of in Spain. Visiting the completed Sagrada Família after 144 years, right before the inauguration, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’m so grateful I could participate in during my study abroad.