BARCELONA, Spain, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drone scanning and off-site prefabrication are helping accelerate the construction and long-term preservation of the Sagrada Familia, the basilica's general manager has said.
Construction of the landmark began in 1882. The current phase centers on the Tower of Jesus Christ, considered the core of architect Antoni Gaudi's original design and expected to be completed in 2026, the centenary of his death.
Xavier Martinez, the basilica's general manager, said advances in digital tools have quickened the pace of work. "If we had continued with traditional methods, we would have reached the end of the 21st century before finishing the Sagrada Familia," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.
According to Martinez, drone scanning will soon be used to monitor both exterior and interior facades to detect potential risks. "AI will provide a list of future restoration and conservation actions. We don't see AI as a tool to finish the temple, but as a tool to preserve it," he added.
Daily operations pose challenges, with more than 16,000 visitors entering the basilica each day. To ensure safety, much of the construction now takes place off-site. "We build in external workshops, calmly and safely, and then bring in prefabricated modules to install inside the Sagrada Familia," Martinez explained.
The completion of the Tower of Jesus, the tallest in the basilica and designed to be crowned with a large cross, will coincide with the commemoration of Gaudi's centenary. Work on the Glory Facade is scheduled to begin in June 2026, he said.
Martinez noted that despite the expected global attention in 2026, the basilica does not plan to increase annual visitor numbers beyond the current five million. "We want to maintain quality. We have a satisfaction score of 9.3, and we intend to keep it. Otherwise, we risk saturation," he said.
"Gaudi was very clear that he would not finish the Sagrada Familia himself. It would be built by future generations," he said. "We are fortunate to be the generation that will complete it."
As 2026 also marks the originally expected completion year of the Sagrada Familia, a series of celebrative events will be held to mark the occasion. "Without doubt, 2026 will be a major draw, and as a global event, people around the world will see the inauguration," he added. ■
