Lego has unveiled the largest set in the company’s history by piece count, revealing a detailed 12,060-piece replica of Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia just days before Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit the city.
The announcement links two major milestones surrounding one of Spain’s most famous landmarks: the approaching papal visit and the centenary year marking the death of architect Antoni Gaudí.
The new release joins Lego’s Architecture collection and becomes one of the company’s most ambitious projects ever produced.
Largest Lego set ever recreates Barcelona’s most famous landmark
The model recreates the famous basilica with extraordinary detail, reaching 62 centimeters in height and reflecting both the scale and complexity of the original building.
Construction of the real Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and continues today, making the project one of the world’s longest-running architectural undertakings.
According to Lego designers, replicating a structure that continues evolving presented unique challenges throughout development.
The finished model can be separated into multiple sections, allowing builders to explore internal spaces and architectural details hidden within the structure.
Design captures stained glass and Gaudí’s architecture
One of the most distinctive elements of the model is its attempt to reproduce the visual effects created by sunlight passing through the basilica’s famous stained-glass windows.
The design also incorporates many of Gaudí’s signature architectural characteristics including organic shapes, soaring towers and complex facades.
According to designer Rok Žgalin Kobe, the development process required balancing architectural accuracy with the limitations of brick-based construction while representing what he described as a “living monument.”
Launch coincides with major year for Barcelona and Gaudí
The timing of the launch is particularly significant.
Barcelona is currently preparing for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV, who is expected to celebrate mass inside the basilica in the coming days.
Meanwhile, 2026 marks 100 years since the death of Antoni Gaudí, whose influence continues to define Barcelona’s global identity.
The release therefore arrives during a period of heightened international attention for both the city and its most famous building.
Sagrada Familia continues attracting global attention
The basilica remains Spain’s most visited monument, attracting millions of visitors annually and serving as one of Europe’s most recognizable landmarks.
For Lego, transforming the unfinished cathedral into its largest-ever set reflects both the building’s global popularity and the growing demand for increasingly large, detailed collector-focused architecture models.
With more than 12,000 pieces, the set now becomes one of the most complex consumer products ever released by the Danish toy company.
