Barcelona’s iconic La Sagrada Familia (pictured above is its glorious interior stained glass) is now the world’s tallest church after reaching an important milestone. The 144-year-old construction project, which has been stalled by disasters, civil war, and political jousting, is now about 80 percent complete.

The Tower of Jesus Christ is the last piece of its central tower. The 56-foot-high steel and glass cross was installed in February 2026, extending La Sagrada Familia’s height to 172.5 meters, surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster (162 meters). That was a key moment in the long, turbulent history of this marvel, designed by Barcelona’s iconic architect Antoni Gaudi.

And its next key milestone? On June 10, 2026, a date that marks the 100^th anniversary of Gaudi’s death, Pope Leo XIV is visiting La Sagrada Familia to celebrate the completion of The Tower of Jesus Christ. Pope Leo XIV will officiate a special mass inside the church on that day and also lead the blessing and inauguration of its recently installed cross.

Moving forward

Meanwhile, construction will continue on this church for another decade, focusing on the stonework of the Glory Façade, its towering main entrance. This church is so colossal and unique that it became the top attraction in one of the world’s most visited cities despite being a mere work in progress, often blighted by scaffolding. Only seven years ago, La Sagrada Familia was stuck at 60 percent complete, having barely advanced for decades.

But in 2019 Barcelona authorities belatedly approved the building permit that had long slowed this project. Progress has since accelerated to the point that this masterpiece is scheduled to be fully completed in about 2036. That will effectively celebrate the legacy of Gaudi, one of few architects in history to have a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated entirely to their works.

Barcelona’s tourist trail revolves around the seven whimsical Gaudi structures included in that UNESCO listing. From the green expanse of Parque Güell to quirky mansion Palacio Güell, and from the curvy wonder of Casa Mila to the polychromatic marvel Casa Vicens, no trip to Barcelona is complete without taking a Gaudi pilgrimage. And don’t miss other designs in Gaudi’s UNESCO listing, such as fierce-looking Casa Batlló and the eerie Crypt of Colonia Güell.

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Gaudi in Barcelona

What isn’t apparent to many of that latter landmark’s five million annual visitors is the array of controversies which have hindered it. The first of these arose in 1882. That is when La Sagrada Familia was first envisioned by its original architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar.

His proposal was a mundane, neo-Gothic design, similar to countless other churches in Europe at that time. Yet it was not this uninspired concept which derailed Francisco de Paula del Villar. Instead, he was fired in 1883 due to arguments with Barcelona’s Catholic leaders about material costs.

Within months, this veteran Spanish architect had been replaced by a fast-rising rookie. Gaudi was only 31 years old and had been an architect for just five years when he took charge of La Sagrada Familia. He abandoned Villar’s boring blueprints and unleashed his own inventive mind.

Gaudi’s concept was invigorating: a bold blend of Noucentisme (a Catalan cultural movement that was the opposite of Avant Garde), Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism, and Spanish Late Gothic architectural elements. In an era when churches were austere and angular, he sketched a playful building with remarkably few straight lines and no right angles.

Gaudi wanted its exterior to be crested by 18 lofty towers, up to 172 meters tall that would, from a distance, resemble a dense forest. Up close, the church is equally distinctive. I have been awestruck by the intricate stonework of its façade, with epic biblical scenes complemented by depictions of fruit, landscapes and geometric motifs. Once inside, Gaudi’s nature theme continues, with 36 giant columns rising to the roof like mighty trees, each bathed in rainbow-hued light from complex stained glass windows.

Bringing all these layers of design to reality was an obsession for Gaudi. But when he died in 1926, the basilica was still less than half finished. Although construction continued thereafter, this project began its long period of delays in 1936, with the eruption of the Spanish Civil War. Not only did work on the church have to slow down because of this three-year conflict but anarchists also damaged La Sagrada Familia and destroyed many of Gaudi’s plans and scale models, further limiting its progress.

From the 1940s to the 1980s, it moved ahead at a glacial pace due to funding shortages and a revolving door of architects commanding the project. Since then it has hit further obstacles in the form of an underground train tunnel being bored alongside the church, ongoing disputes with Barcelona City officials about building permits, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nowadays, controversy still hangs low over this tall structure. The addition of a giant outdoor case is likely to take another eight years and is expected to require the eviction of up to 3,000 disgruntled residents from neighboring streets.

Even if you’ve already visited La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, it’s worth a return to see the Tower of Jesus Christ

For now, of course, the focus is on the recently installed Tower of Jesus Christ. This lavish, 17-meter-tall cross is crucial for a variety of reasons. First, it crowns this lofty building. Secondly, this tower’s design, decorated by trencadis (a unique style of mosaic that uses shards of glass or ceramics; it’s a familiar signature across the city of Gaudi’s style).

As well, the design of the Tower of Jesus Christ offers a new visual spectacle visible from many parts of Barcelona, by day or night. In the sunlight its mosaics glimmer, sending rainbow-hued beams across Barcelona. After dark, its mighty spotlights let the cross glow like a star.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly from a visitor’s perspective, the tower will eventually be accessible to visitors. Via the new outdoor staircase, you’ll be able to ascend to the highest viewing platform in all of Barcelona, gaining panoramic vistas of its historic cityscape, pretty beaches, and nearby peaks.

What else is new about La Sagrada Familia?

The four stone spires that surround the Tower of Jesus Christ were completed across 2022 and 2023. Measuring 135m apiece, they are variously dedicated to the Four Evangelists from Christian tradition: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Biblical characters and themes also decorate the church’s three facades, below the spires. Each of these intricate displays of stonework represent a different phase in Jesus’ life. The son of god’s birth is portrayed on the Nativity Façade, his crucifixion and resurrection are depicted by the Passion Façade, and his enduring impact on the world is represented by the Glory Façade.

Each is a lasting, and mesmerising marker of Gaudi’s genius. So unusual and evocative was his concept for this basilica that, 143 years later, it still appears fresh and inspired and stands out amid Europe’s vast array of grand churches. Even a century marred by war, pandemic, budget crises, and bureaucratic roadblocks could not prevent La Sagrada Familia from reaching its dazzling, tallest form.

And in June, its bold creator will be remembered, celebrated, and honoured, 100 years to the day after his death. Of course, we’ll continue to celebrate this bold accomplishment well after the June visit of Pope Leo XIV.

Inspired to travel? Our hints and tips.

• Barcelona is one of Windstar’s hub home ports, and its ships embark and/or disembark in the city all four months of the year. The good news? Travelers who arrive a few days early to explore the city (or extend their trip at the end of the cruise) can visit not just La Sagrada Familia but also Gaudi’s numerous other feats of architecture. However, one note: Very few itineraries include Barcelona as a regular port of call so you’ll want to plan your own explorations.
• There’s a huge range of Mediterranean itineraries that Windstar visits via Barcelona, including: Quick Getaways: Balearic Islands and Port Vendres; Moroccan Markets and Iberian Icons; Windstar’s 2026 Mystery Cruise, with its focus on Spain; Yachtsman’s Harbors of the Rivieras; Star Collector: Riches of the Rivieras, Romans and Greeks and Europe, a Winter Riviera. Even more options exist; click here. 
• Fascinated by all-things-Sagrada Familia? This blog, produced by the Basilica Sagrada Familia, is one of our favorite reads for everything from history to actual construction. 
• And one last insight: Antoni Gaudi grew up in Reus, about 18 minutes outside of Tarragona, a Roman city quite close to Barcelona. If you want to understand more about what, in his young life, inspired him about architecture, read this. And Windstar does offer an itinerary that starts in Tarragona (about an 1:15 hour drive from Barcelona), a newly emerging home port in Spain.

The post Is Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia Finished? Everything You Need to Know Now appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.

In this occasional blog, we’ll try to make it easy for you to check out what travel professionals are saying about Windstar. Here are some of our favorite travel stories from 2026 so far.

Travel + Leisure on Windstar’s quick getaways

Most of the time my philosophy about a Windstar cruise is the longer the better. But that’s not always schedule-friendly in a busy world. Travel + Leisure highlights the line’s “Quick Getaways,” a new, three to five day itinerary option in Europe this summer on Star Pride. What makes it special? It’s a terrific “taster” experience if you’re new to Windstar and also a great way to tack on a short weekend getaway if you’re already in Europe. Note that the story appears only print edition of the magazine, its December 2025 – 2026 issue.

In Wallpaper*, the discussion turns to the small ship advantage

In Wallpaper, a publication that focuses on sophisticated design, art, culture and architecture, I loved this quote about why small and elegant ships are gaining greater awareness. “The new guard [of traveler]…wants vessels that go where bigger ships can’t reach – remote archipelagos, Arctic ice shelves, shallow Adriatic harbors or, in the case of Windstar’s Star Explorer, which also launches this December, up the Thames into central London along the Seine to Paris.” I’d add Star Seeker to that list, too and, come to think of it, also the Star Class ships that are offering itineraries that combine river and ocean ports of call.

How to make your next trip your most memorable journey ever?

The Busy Person’s Guide to Slow Travel: 20 Thoughtful Trips for Every Type of Traveler, in Afar, caught my eye. It offers suggestions on both land holidays and sea voyages, with categories you’d probably expect such as nature, health and wellness, arts and culture, adventure and food and drink. What’s particularly intriguing here is that the trips being profiled are not at all among the ordinary.

I can’t decide, at just this moment, whether I should opt for a spiritual luxury getaway to the Himalayas or try my hand at trout fishing in Colorado. For this Francophile, the trip on Afar’s fabulous list that most appeals, however, is Windstar’s French Feast: Normandy, Brittany and Aquitaine, a French-focused James Beard Foundation voyage, led by Alsatian chef Gabriel Kreuther. The seven-night cruise travels between Paris/Rouen and Bordeaux, with stops to visit top food purveyors in places like Honfleur (featured as our cover photo above), St.-Malo, Guernsey, and Lorient along the way. Procrastinators, know this: There’s no time to waste. It departs this August.

We’ll help keep you posted on the latest insightful travel stories as we unearth them. Let us know if we’ve missed one that’s inspired you.

The post Making Waves: Windstar Stories in the Media appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.

In official language, F1 is is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. In less daunting words, it essentially consists of a series of races by the world’s fastest regulated road-course racing cars. It’s typically held in glittering cities, where the race runs through a narrow course of streets. Monaco glitters most of all.

Windstar’s Wind Surf times its two-day weekend visit to Monaco around the 2026 Grand Prix (it’s the June 3 – 11 sailing on Wind Surf from Rome to Barcelona), and is offering a limited number of staterooms that can watch the event from the comfort of the yacht.

What do you need to know about the  Prix du Monde of Monaco? Read on.

What Is the  Prix du Monde of Monaco?

Referred to as the pinnacle of motor racing, the Formula One series attracts millions of fans. It’s the highest class of international auto racing, consisting of 22 cars that compete in 19 Grand Prix races across the globe. Every year at the end of May, renowned racers from around the world gather to race across 78 laps of winding streets in Monaco.

The  Prix du Monde of Monaco is one of the most prestigious motor racing events in the world. It’s held annually on the Circuit de Monaco, a race track that stretches across the neighborhoods of Monte Carlo and La Condamine. Also known as the “Monte Carlo,” this track spans 3.337 kilometers, which is slightly over two miles. While it’s the shortest Grand Prix in terms of distance, the course is one of the most challenging in Formula One. It takes extreme skill and precision to maneuver corners and tunnels at speeds up to 200 miles per hour.

The Circuit de Monaco is iconic for taking place on twisted and narrow city streets. The surrounding area quickly fills up with celebrities, raving fans and even the Royal family of Monaco to witness the race. The  Prix du Monde of Monaco weekend is a massive celebration that spans three days. Monaco is a country with a population of just over 30,000 people — in other words, an area roughly three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., must accommodate hundreds of thousands more for the Grand Prix. This transformation usually takes nearly two months.

What’s the History of the  Prix du Monde of Monaco?

The Grand Prix didn’t start as the glamorous event we know it as today. The first official motor race across the streets of Monaco was planned in 1929 by Antony Noghes, who wanted to compete with fellow members of the Automobile Club de Monaco. There were no race tracks at the time, so they took to the roads. William Grover-Williams was the Prix’s first champion, driving a dark green Bugatti. Several more races took place on the streets of Monaco over the years, and in 1950, it was included in the first Formula One World Championship. The Monaco Grand Prix has been a staple of the F1 series ever since.

When it comes to the track’s layout, only a few changes have occurred over the years. That said, some adjustments have been made for safety reasons. Before 1969, almost nothing was standing between the race track and the fans and neighborhood around it. Today, the race track is outfitted with safety measures — 13 miles of safety rails, 0.621 miles of barriers, 215,278 square feet of wire netting and a fire extinguisher for every 50 feet of the race track. Accidents can happen on the narrow raceway, so these precautions protect the people and structures surrounding the course.

As far as surrounding observation points go, Rainier III Nautical Stadium is the one to beat. It’s stood next to the track since 1949, and is the subject of many iconic images taken during the race. The swimming pool area was modified in the early 70s to improve the racing area in front of the stadium. This structure houses fans and has remained an important symbol of the Monaco Grand Prix throughout history.

The  Prix du Monde of Monaco is extremely challenging, and every Formula One driver wants to win. There’s a rich history of champions, some of who have won more than once. As a well-known example, British driver Graham Hill was the first to win five times from 1963 to 1969. His record-setting streak earned him the nickname, “Mr. Monaco.” This record would eventually be broken in 1993 by Ayrton Senna from Brazil, with his sixth win.

Over nearly 100 years, the Monte Carlo has become the ultimate test for the most elite drivers in F1 and remains one of the world’s most famous Grand Prix locations.

Why Go to the  Prix du Monde of Monaco?

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most exhilarating F1 experiences. The difficulty level of the course makes an exciting race every season, and it’s a spectacle to behold while being surrounded by the breathtaking coastal village of the French Riviera. Whether you’re an avid F1 fan or a traveler passing through, this event is one of those ultimate bucket list items. There’s simply nothing like it.

Let Windstar Cruises Take You There

The  Prix du Monde of Monaco is a highly anticipated event that attracts fans and travelers from across the globe. The electric energy of race day, surrounded by the gorgeous scenery of Monaco, is unbelievable.

In , Windstar offers the Prix du Monde of Monaco package, available to limited guests that features onboard perks and great seats at the race itself. Itincludes:

• Prix du Monde themed gift package with program ticket holder, ear plugs, cap, high-definition binoculars, and seat cushion

• Wind Surf’s guest speaker on the May 20 voyage is a Formula One racing expert. He’ll provide behind-the-scenes insights and commentary on the race itself.

• You’ll be seated at the Prix du Monde of Monaco’s Section K seats for Saturday’s time trials and Sunday’s final (these are higher seats — not benches — with wonderful views).

• Special Prix du Monde themed cocktail reception and dinner on board.

After the race, the adventure continues across the unique small ports of the Mediterranean. Stroll along the streets of Europe, lounge on the beach, sip wine at an Italian cafe or shop from first-class boutiques

Editor’s Note: “FORMULA 1 and F1 are registered trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV. The use of these marks does not and is not intended to create any affiliation, connection or association with Formula One Licensing BV.”

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