Barcelona (Spain). The centenary year of Antoni Gaudí’s death marked a turning point for the Sagrada Família. On June 10, Pope Leo XIV blessed and inaugurated the Tower of Jesus Christ, the highest point of the basilica at 172.5 meters. “The results are very positive and have exceeded our expectations,” said Xavier Martínez, general director of the Sagrada Família, during a press conference on September 22.
However, the project is far from finished. After the central towers, priority now shifts to the Facade of Glory, the main entrance to the basilica designed by Gaudí. Its four towers, which will rise to 120 meters, are already under construction. They will rest on eight large columns which branch out in height, today almost entirely manufactured. “In about a year we should start raising the columns”says Jordi Faulí, director architect of the Sagrada Família. To prepare for this new phase of the project, the teams developed a ten-meter-high prototype in order to test the construction and assembly system of the future bell towers.
It is this new know-how which today allows the architect to evoke a horizon for the completion of the temple. “We believe that a period of around ten years would be more than sufficient to complete the Sagrada Família. » Faulí, however, is careful not to announce a date. “We don’t want to move forward”he warns. The deadline depends in particular on the resolution of the urban planning file for the Glory facade.
Gaudí’s project provides for a monumental staircase in front of the Glory facade. However, a housing building located opposite the monument, rue Mallorca, currently prevents its realization. For the Sagrada Família, its demolition would be enough to build the staircase, the inhabitants being able to be relocated in a new building on neighboring land belonging to the basilica. The question of a larger esplanade remains in the hands of the municipality.
Work continues on several fronts
Negotiations with the town hall are“very advanced” and the two parties have already agreed on the main points, assures Xavier Martínez. “We are now waiting for the town hall to move forward on its side. » Management hopes for a solution “in the coming months”. With its current authorizations, the basilica can nevertheless continue the four towers of the facade up to 120 meters.
Other projects are progressing simultaneously. If the exterior of the Jesus Christ Tower is completed, its interior development will continue in 2027 and part in 2028. The interior space above the temple level rises about 65 meters. In the summit cross, 17 meters high, the figure of the Lamb of God has already been installed. The decor of the tower will also evoke the creation of the firmament, in a gradient of enameled ceramics ranging from white and purple tones to increasingly intense blues. “We consulted an Italian astrophysicist to find out how we could represent the firmament today”says Jordi Faulí.
Under the tower, the decoration dedicated to the Holy Spirit continues. To the tongues of fire already installed on the Passion side will be added water on the Nativity side and wind on the Glory side. These polychrome touches extend the program of fruit baskets in trencadís side naves, designed as offerings and symbols of good works inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Work is finally progressing on the Chapel of the Assumption, a building measuring approximately 10 by 10 meters whose dome will peak at 30 meters. To design it, Gaudí was particularly inspired by the processional bed of the Virgin in Girona Cathedral, used during the celebrations of the Assumption. The dome covered with trencadís blue will represent the mantle of the Virgin, supported by four angels. Four scenes from the life of Mary already adorn the interior, while sculptures of Saint Roch and Saint Joseph Oriol will take place outside.
