It seems as if those involved with the project are struggling against a somewhat incoherent creative vision, and a bunch of idignant, pretentious artists who want to hide this beautiful work from what they regard as the 'great unwashed'. What right have they?

Ruby, London, England

If the Florentines had taken a similar attitude towards their star basilica (begun 1296, finished 1436) we'd never have had Brunelleschi's wonderful dome.

Nick, Krakow, Poland

Having met and chatted with some of the designers on the project I can say that these men and women are trying desperately to do justice to the project and are often left marvelling at the cunning and genius that permeates through Gaudi's writings and ideas. I find the manifesto in very bad taste.

James, London,

Sagrada is an apt monument to the construction industry in Spain, a country that is constantly building and rebuilding, not always to best effect.

Mark, Devin, UK

These so called intellectuals largely miss the point. Gaudi was a true believer, a fervent christian and that was the reason, in the first place, he wanted to build the Sagrada Familia : as a monument to God, and not something for art's sake or to satisfy his professionnal ego.

jordi, Montreal, Canada

Has Ed Allen never been told that it's rude to make personal remarks? Everyone else has views on the building... which is a remarkable achievement, whether it is to one's personal taste or not, and I think Gaudi would have preferred it to be finished, no matter what.

Victoria, Norwich,

There is no such thing as a good architect without an ego. Any architect finishing the work is going to put in his two cents worth.

These nay-saying intellectuals have their own egos. If they were asked to finish the work, it would be no better.

Matthew, New York City, USA

To Peter Parler of Praha (comment below). Are you happy with what they did to some of your work in Prague? Or should they have left it?

Andy, Dublin, Ireland

I agree with much of this. The church cannot be completed as a "pure vision" of what Gaudi wanted because that doesn't exist. It is a team effort. Long live Gaudi and long live Barcelona!

Andrew, London, UK

Would be better in Disnyland
John

John, London, UK

The inherent historical ignorance and elitism of theses faux celebrity intellectuals says much about modern Spain. In better educated times, their errors would have been challenged not reprinted.

Tim Perkins, Manchester, UK

You seem to haver difficulty with the letter "í". It's not that complicated....

Gervas Douglas, Erts, Andorra

It's certainly frustrating (and typical) that the people with the loudest mouths do the least work.

Lucy, bath, UK

Haven't they left it a bit late to speak up? I visited it 2 months ago and can see their point, but it may as well be finished now.

Cameo, Berkhamsted, uk

Do they want to stop building it? It is pulling in lots of visitors (and cash). I am told that, until finished, the building and its income belongs to the local authorities. Once completed it will have to be handed over to the church.

Wim, Sheffield, England

So Dirk in Bedford UK has never heard of the Sagrada Familia,bet he's heard of Benidorm though , and the Brits love to knock the Americans for insularity. It's called culture Dirk and I reckon you should pay a visit - it is the most amazing building , true to Gaudi or not. Viva Barcelona

Ed Allen, Whitby, Canada

Is the Sagrada Familia a monument to Gaudi or a monument to God? How many architects of Europe's great cathedrals lived to see them completed? I suspect none. It may not have been exactly as Gaudi envisaged it but would he rather have seen the building unfinished? I somehow doubt it.

Jonathan, London,

I've been there and it is a fabulous building even now, with so much left to do. Please don't let anyone stop the vital work just because a few self-styled intellectuals get into print.

Charles Bockett-Pugh, Sandhurst,

Sagrda Familia sould be completed and finished, although it cuold take hundreds years more and could show a mixture of stiles. Sagrada Familia will be one of the most beautiful God´s houses on earth and one of the world´s wonders, for sure.

Miguel., Zamora, Spain.

It was Gaudi's stated intention that the Cathedral be completed by others after his death. He realized that the work would require several generations of labor, and he trusted that subsequent architects would help to realize his grand ambition. Many object, but the work does follow his life's dream.

RSD, Paris, France

what exactly is the point of spending 125 years to build a building, untold millions, probably well into the 100s of millions, and then saying nah we dont want it to be finished? artists, gallery managers and film directors are classed as intellectuals now? st pauls cathedrawl isnt wrens original

will, grimsby, uk

But of course! Most cathedrals take years or centuries to complete and are a mixture of styles.

Peter Parler, Praha, Czech Republic

Alright, I'll be the first to say it. This building is an amazing amalgam of designs and artistry - and absolutely hideous. From a distance it looks like the lower half is dripping wet mud. The spires are beautiful, but they perch upon one of the ugliest bases ever built. It's the work of madmen.

jt, Idaho, USA

Dirk, neither had I until I went to Barca, but it is off the hook.
I did notice when I was there that the two sides of the church look completely different and then read that modern architects had put their twist on things.
The mix of old and new looks amazing. I think the evolution is fine.

Talese Amer, Londontown,

i saw the cathedral in Oct of 2007. it's mind-boggling up close.
unfortunately much of it was under scaffolding and all kinds of construction. there's nothing like it on earth. it was fantastic to see. the man was a genius. much that has been done he might not like..but who knows.

jon, fort myers, florida, USA

They just noticed? I was there 30 years ago and the effort was to "complete the dream"

r. burns, Florida, US

So what else is new? Many ancient buildings that took a long time to complete show difference in style as the work progressed.

Jan H. Kraal, Lexington , Kentucky

All major cathedrals in Europe were completed over a considerable number of years and there probably isnt one that is just as the original architect intended yet they are all venerated for their beauty or function. Gaudi was a pragmatist and isnt spining in his grave as thse "intellectuals" imply.

Mikegee, waipara, NZ

Never heard of the cathedral, but it certainly would not look out of place in Disneyland or Las Vegas.

Dirk Bruere, Bedford, England