By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Lego has released its largest set ever, and it fittingly depicts what is arguably the greatest cathedral ever built; the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Lego says it designed the monumental Sagrada Familia set to commemorate the centennial year of the death of the cathedral’s legendary designer, Antoni Gaudi, whose reputation in the history of architecture is just as impressive as his signature work.
Lego says the build features an unprecedented 12,060 pieces, making it the largest set ever in terms of the number of elements. Like the Sagrada Familia itself, it towers over other kits, standing over 24 inches (62cm) high, 18.5 inches (47 cm) wide, and 15 in. (39 cm) deep.
It also includes an incredibly impressive design element that Lego has never attempted before; a beautiful stained glass window effect that is designed to echo the unique way that light moves through the real basilica, particularly in the Temple of Light section of the cathedral.
“This is not only the largest LEGO set ever, but a model of one of the most ambitious architectural works in the world,” said Lego Architecture Designer Rok Žgalin Kobe. “Balancing scale and precision, while remaining faithful to a living monument that has been evolving for more than a century, was a unique design challenge, and one we’re incredibly proud of.”
Anyone who has seen the Sagrada Familia in person will understand the incredible complexity in recreating the structure in miniature, and in a way that it can be constructed with Lego blocks. I first saw the Sagrada Familia in 1983 when much of the tower design was still under construction and behind scaffolding. In my most recent visit in 2018 the incredible towers were almost complete, and just this year, on the centennial of Gaudi’s passing, the external portion of the central tower was finally completed with the placement of the upper arm of the cross on the Tower of Jesus Christ on February 20. Interior work on the structure will continue on through 2028.
Construction on this epic work actually began under a different architect, whose vision was more typical of Catholic cathedral architecture in the 19th century. But when that architect resigned, the already renowned Gaudi stepped in with a revolutionary plan in 1883.
About one-quarter of the cathedral was completed by the time Gaudi passed away in 1926, including the first bell tower, and the church as continued construction ever since, other than a pause during the Spanish Civil War.
Lego, whose staff include many experts in architecture, says it wanted to commemorate the “scale and spirit” of Gaudi’s vision, saying “… the set offers builders an immersive way to explore the architecture of one of the most complex and celebrated buildings ever conceived.”
As a bit of an architecture nut myself, I’ve been to many of the greatest cathedrals in Europe, as well as temples around the world, but the Sagrada Familia is my favorite structure on the planet due to its absolutely unique design that reflects a love of nature.
Lego has gone all out on this one, creating an amazing display piece that not only depicts the exterior, but also allows one to gaze into the interior of Gaudi’s masterpiece.
“We felt an immense responsibility to do justice to the Sagrada Família through this design,” said Kobe. “Our goal was to honour Gaudí’s vision with the utmost respect, capturing the rhythm of the basilica’s construction, its extraordinary complexity and ambition, and translating that into an immersive building experience.”
The set joins the LEGO Architecture portfolio, which celebrates iconic buildings from around the world through detailed, display worthy models for adults.
Builders can further enhance the experience through the LEGO Builder app, which offers intuitive 3D instructions, progress tracking and the ability to save builds, turning the building process into a guided, immersive journey.
The LEGO Architecture Sagrada Família (21065) is available for pre-order from today, and goes on sale globally from 1st November 2026, priced at £649.99/ €749.99/ $799.99. You can learn more or purchase the set at LEGO.com/SagradaFamilia LEGO.com/SagradaFamilia or visit your nearest LEGO Store.