Catholic Church's Management of Spanish Monuments Sparks Financial and Legal Debate
The Catholic Church in Spain is under scrutiny for its management of religious monuments, which are significant tourist attractions. According to a report by ObservaTur, the Sagrada Familia, the Mezquita de Córdoba, and the Cathedral of Seville are among the most visited sites, drawing millions of visitors annually. The Church's management of these sites has raised questions about financial transparency and legal ownership. The Sagrada Familia, managed by a private canonical foundation, reported revenues of 134.5 million euros in 2025, primarily from visitor contributions. Meanwhile, the Mezquita de Córdoba and the Cathedral of Seville, which were registered as Church property in 2006 and 2010 respectively, have been labeled as controversial acquisitions by the Coordinadora Recuperando, which seeks to annul these registrations. The Church's financial practices, including the lack of VAT on entry fees and the opaque reporting of income, have been criticized by groups like Europa Laica. 
