After a remarkable wait spanning over 140 years, the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona celebrates the completion of four towers. The remaining tower is the Tower of Jesus Christ, envisioned by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí to be the pinnacle of the structure. The aim is to finalize this tower in 2026, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's passing. This will mark the conclusive phase in completing the church's construction, initiated in 1882. Further details about the project can be explored in the SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
Gaudí's Vision- Designing a Biblical Marvel with 18 Towers
Designed by the acclaimed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the monumental structure boasts 18 towering spires, each symbolizing a biblical figure, including the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus. The recent installation of sculptural pieces on the towers of Matthew and John the Evangelist marks a significant step towards the long-awaited completion.
"The four towers of the Evangelists are finished! Soon we’ll be celebrating this building milestone!" announced the church on Facebook, accompanied by a picture showcasing the accomplished towers.
The Impressive Stature of Evangelist Towers
A momentous inauguration mass is scheduled for November 12, where the illumination of the four evangelist towers will signal a festive celebration continuing through the Christmas season.
The completion of the towers of Mark and Luke, adorned with a lion and a fox respectively, occurred last year. In December 2021, the tower of the Virgin Mary reached its culmination with the placement of a massive 12-pointed star.
Standing at an impressive 135 meters tall, the four evangelist towers are a testament to architectural grandeur. The final tower, representing Jesus Christ, is projected to soar to a height of 172.5 meters, concluding with a majestic 17-meter-tall four-armed cross.
Historical Challenges
The Sagrada Familia, designed to accommodate around 13,000 people, is an enormous undertaking that faced interruptions and challenges. Only 10-15% of the project was completed when Gaudí passed away in 1926. The Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s further slowed construction, resulting in the destruction of many original designs and models.
Despite these challenges, the Sagrada Familia was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984 and consecrated for religious worship by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
Sagrada Familia's Future as World's Tallest Church
The church's construction operated without a proper permit for 137 years until 2019 when Barcelona's city council finally issued the long-awaited building permit. Upon completion, the Sagrada Familia is poised to become the world's tallest church, surpassing Germany's Ulm Minster.
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