The Sagrada Familia finally has a building permit - 136 years after building began. It agreed to repay $41 million in fees dating back to 1882. It has 10 years to pay the fees. Barcelona's mayor called the agreement historic. She said the money would finance projects to improve the metro, roads, public services and local neighbourhoods. A resident tweeted that this would, "improve the quality of life for citizens and visitors [and] the image of Barcelona".
La Sagrada Familia was designed by the modernist artist Antoni Gaudi. He also designed many unique and eccentric buildings and parks in Barcelona. The basilica will be finished in 2026 - 100 years after Gaudi's death. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. In 2010, the church became a minor basilica. It is now one of Barcelona's top tourist attractions. It attracts around 20 million visitors a year.