Barcelona's Sagrada Familia - one of Spain's most famous tourist sites which has been illegally under construction for more than a century - has finally received a building permit.

The spectacular unfinished church, which is visited by more than four million a year, was the brainchild of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi.

Construction began on the extravagant building in 1882 and was barely a quarter finished when Gaudi died in 1926 after being hit by a tram.

Spanish authorities realised in 2016 that planning permission was never secured for the still under-construction basilica, meaning it had been operating illegally for over a century.

An agreement was reached with Barcelona city authorities last year that the operators of Sagrada Familia would pay 36 million euro (£32m) over a decade, with the proceeds being used to improve surrounding neighbourhoods and public transport services.


In a statement posted to its website on Friday, Sagrada Familia said Barcelona City Council had - after 137 years - given the legal go-ahead to finish construction.

It said it could now "carry on with Antoni Gaudi's project" and the license will cost the 4.6 million euro (£4.1m).

The project is due to be completed in 2026, which is the centenary of Gaudi's death.

The final structure will be no taller than 172 metres (564ft), with total building costs estimated at 374 million euro (£333m).

Sagrada Familia was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sight in 2005.