Among the many wonders of the Sagrada Família, a new spiritual and artistic milestone is quietly taking shape: the Assumpta Chapel, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Though not yet visible to the general public, this future space is already stirring the imagination of those following the basilica’s evolution.
Expected to be completed in 2025, the Assumpta Chapel will be the final interior chapel added to the basilica. It represents the culmination of Gaudí’s sacred narrative — a symbolic and architectural finale that will anchor the north cloister with deep theological meaning and sculptural innovation.
Far from being a mere decorative addition, the Assumpta Chapel has been described as the “new great challenge” in the basilica’s interior. Not just in terms of technical execution, but in its ambition to elevate a spiritual mystery — the bodily and divine ascension of Mary — into a dynamic, three-dimensional sculptural language.

Gaudí’s Original Design: Inspiration from Girona’s Liturgical Traditions

The idea of the Assumpta Chapel is rooted in a design Gaudí drew in 1920, inspired by a Marian procession he witnessed in the city of Girona. There, the “pas de la Mare de Déu d’agost”, a richly adorned structure that carried a sculpture of the Virgin during the feast of the Assumption, became a powerful source of inspiration for him.
Gaudí’s original sketch was recently studied in detail by the team at the Junta Constructora. The drawing showed a multi-level sculptural structure topped by a representation of the Virgin surrounded by angels. Although the original design was never built in his lifetime, it now provides the conceptual foundation for the Assumpta Chapel — adapted to fit the architectural rhythm and liturgical symbolism of the Sagrada Família.
This reinterpretation does not aim for literal reconstruction, but rather evolves the idea using today’s tools and artistic language. It respects Gaudí’s vision, while allowing space for contemporary sculptural voices to carry the concept forward in dialogue with modern sensibilities.

Symbolism in Stone: The Spiritual Narrative of the Assumpta Chapel

The Assumption of Mary is one of the most celebrated mysteries in Christian theology. It represents the belief that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory. Translating this powerful spiritual movement into sculpture is no easy task — but it is precisely the challenge the team has embraced.
The design of the Assumpta Chapel features a spiral structure that rises upward, evoking a powerful sense of ascension and divine momentum. The ensemble includes abstract wings, suggested facial forms, and dynamic shapes that guide the viewer’s eye in a circular, elevating motion.
This upward movement is not just architectural; it’s theological. The sculpture is designed to evoke three major moments:
The Assumption – Mary’s elevation toward heaven.

The Coronation – Her glorification as Queen of Heaven.

The Presence of the Trinity – Suggested through geometric symbolism and sculptural layering.

The ensemble will not be seen as a collection of individual figures, but rather as a unified movement, a narrative spiral in stone. This powerful visual language continues Gaudí’s lifelong interest in geometry, movement, and the translation of theological truth into physical form.

The Artists Behind the Sculptures: A Collaborative Effort

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Assumpta Chapel is the decision to entrust its sculptural design to three Catalan women artists — a first in the history of the Sagrada Família’s major sculptural works.

• Mercè Riba is known for her figurative dynamism and expressive detail. Her works often reflect human movement and emotional tension, which she brings into the central spiral structure.
• Béatrice Bizot brings a more abstract and poetic sensibility, with an emphasis on lightness and elevation. Her work in this chapel suggests the intangible — the invisible grace that lifts Mary toward the divine.
• Teresa Riba adds strength and grounding to the ensemble, often working with stylized forms and an emotionally rich approach.
  

The three artists are not working as a collective, but each contributes individual components of the larger sculpture. The overall design has been coordinated to ensure cohesion in style, rhythm, and symbolism.

This collaboration represents a fresh chapter in the basilica’s artistic tradition — one that respects Gaudí’s vision while making space for contemporary expression, and for the first time, for feminine artistic interpretation of a deeply Marian theme.

From Clay to Stone: The Creative Process

The making of the sculptures for the Assumpta Chapel follows a carefully planned and technologically sophisticated process:
Concept and Modeling: Each piece begins as a detailed model in clay. This stage allows the sculptor to shape freely and test proportions and forms.

Digital Scanning: The clay models are scanned with high-precision 3D technology. This step ensures accuracy and allows the design to be integrated with architectural modeling.

Stone Carving: The final sculptures are carved from stone using both mechanical and manual methods, maintaining the textural depth and integrity of the original clay work.

This method of work allows a symphony between hand-crafted expression and architectural precision — a fitting tribute to Gaudí, who was himself an innovator, blending craft with structure.
The materials, likely Montjuïc or similar sandstone, were chosen for both aesthetic harmony and long-term durability, ensuring the chapel will age with grace within the basilica’s sacred geometry.

Construction Progress and Future Outlook

As of today, significant progress has already been made in the chapel’s structure. The vaults and columns of the north cloister, where the Assumpta Chapel is being installed, are complete.
The sculptors are currently finalizing their individual works. Once carving and finishing are complete, the ensemble will be assembled and installed in situ — a delicate operation requiring millimetric precision and close coordination between the artistic and architectural teams.
The full chapel is expected to be completed and opened to the public in 2025, coinciding with major milestones in the basilica’s development. It will stand not only as a physical space for prayer and reflection, but as the final narrative piece in Gaudí’s great spiritual puzzle.

Conclusion: Continuing Gaudí’s Legacy

More than a construction update, the Assumpta Chapel represents a living chapter in Gaudí’s dream. It shows that the Sagrada Família is not just a monument of the past — it is a sacred project that continues to evolve, to be interpreted, and to speak to new generations.
Through its daring design, its powerful symbolism, and the fresh artistic voices shaping it, this chapel becomes a bridge — between history and future, between stone and spirit, between Gaudí’s vision and our present reality.
Visitors to the Sagrada Família in the coming years will not only witness the basilica’s nearing completion, but will be able to stand before a space where theology becomes sculpture, and architecture becomes prayer.

Want to understand how this new chapel fits into the larger story of the Sagrada Família?

The Assumpta Chapel is a powerful new addition — but it’s just one thread in a much larger tapestry. To truly grasp what makes the Sagrada Família the most extraordinary church in the modern world, you need to see how all its elements — symbolism, architecture, and Gaudí’s vision — come together.

Discover the full context — from Gaudí’s original vision to construction progress and the meaning behind every detail — in our article:

Why the Sagrada Família is Still Under Construction (And Why That’s Fascinating)