With the Sagrada Familia, the signature landmark of Barcelona, Spain, nearing completion 144 years after construction began, Danish toymaker Lego has unveiled a large set recreating it as a scaled model. It is the largest in the company's history.
According to foreign media on the 7th, Lego recently introduced the Sagrada Familia set as the latest in its series of world-famous buildings. The product was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of architect Antoni Gaudí, who designed the basilica.
A total of 12,060 bricks are used to complete it. Once assembled, it becomes a large model 62 centimeters tall, with the basilica's spires and exterior rendered in detail. The price is set at $799.99 (about 1.25 million won).
Lego said it focused in particular on reproducing the stained-glass effect, one of the real Sagrada Familia's symbols. The company said it captured the basilica's atmosphere by reflecting the multicolored light filtering into the interior in the block design.
Rock Zgalin Kobe, who led the Lego design, said, "We wanted to translate the complexity and ambition of the construction process into the building experience while respecting Gaudí's vision as much as possible."
The Sagrada Familia is regarded as one of the most famous unfinished buildings in architectural history. Construction began in 1882, and Gaudí designed 18 spires to symbolize the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus.
But when Gaudí died in 1926, only 10% to 15% of the work had been completed. Construction was further delayed when many drawings and models were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. For decades, the giant cranes surrounding the basilica became an iconic sight of Barcelona.
Most major structures are now complete. In February this year, the central spire symbolizing Jesus Christ was finished, putting the building into a virtually symbolic completion phase. With the completion of this 172.5-meter spire, the Sagrada Familia became the tallest church building in the world.
On the 10th, the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to formally consecrate the Jesus spire.