Sagrada Família reaches full height

More than 140 years after construction began, the final piece of the central tower of Catalan
architect Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece has been put in place, bringing the church to its
full height of 172.5 metres ahead of the centenary of Gaudí’s death on June 10


CROSS: Four-armed cross designed as symbol of Christ’s universal presence

17m
13.5m
Weight: 200 tonnes

Exterior: Clad in white glazed ceramic and glass, reflects sunlight by day and glows at night

Cross based on double twist geometry – transitioning from square base to octagonal shape


TOWER OF JESUS CHRIST
Crowned by monumental cross, it rises 172.5 m, making Sagrada Família the world’s tallest church

Viewing platform: Cross’ hollow interior will hold up to 11 visitors at a time, offering panoramic views of Barcelona

Access to viewing platform through lift and spiral staircase

Finished
Not finished


Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926)
Dubbed by some as “God’s architect” has been put on path to sainthood by Vatican


SYMBOLIC TOWERS: Church’s 18 towers represent Christianity’s most important figures

MARK
James the Less
Bartholomew
Thomas
Philip
MATTHEW
MARY
JESUS
LUKE
Matthias
Jude Thaddeus
Simon
Barnabas
JOHN
Peter
Andrew
Paul
James the Greater


GRAND FAÇADES: Each of three façades depicts an event in life of Christ; Nativity (east), Passion (west) and Glory (south)

GLORY FAÇADE
Temple’s main entrance

Central nave

St Barnabas Tower: Only tower Gaudí would see completed

Towers of Evangelists (4)
135m

Tower of Mary
138m

Towers of Apostles (12)
98.5-135m

NATIVITY FAÇADE

Sacristies
(2)

Crypt: Gaudí burial site


MILESTONES

1882: Construction begins in neo-Gothic style

1883: Gaudí takes over project, radically reimagining design

1926: Gaudí dies after being struck by tram

1936-39: Spanish Civil War; Many of Gaudí’s plaster models destroyed

1992: Barcelona hosts Olympic Games, boosting tourism and church revenue

1950s: Work resumes, guided by surviving models

1976: Towers on Passion façade completed

2010: Central nave’s vaulting completed; Pope Benedict XVI consecrates basilica

2020: Construction pauses briefly due to Covid-19 pandemic

2021-23: Tower of Virgin Mary and four towers of Evangelists, inaugurated

2026: Tower of Jesus Christ completed


Source: Sagradafamilia.org
Picture: Pau Audouard Deglaire
© GRAPHIC NEWS