The finishing touches need to be completed, the rays of the cross need to be clad, and sculptural compositions need to be installed.
Almost a century and a half after construction began, the exterior of the tallest temple in the world has finally been completed in Barcelona. The official name is Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Basilica of the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family). Now its main, tallest tower — the Tower of Jesus Christ — has reached its final height. It is topped with a cross, clad in glass and white enamel ceramics.
In February, the upper fragment of the cross, about 17 meters tall, was installed with the help of a giant crane. The final element, nearly 4.5 meters high, completed the composition of six central towers. The total height of the basilica now stands at 172.5 meters.
The materials were selected to embody Antonio Gaudí's (Catalan architect, one of the most famous masters of modernism in the world) vision — the cross should shine both in sunlight and in nighttime illumination. Its complex, spirally twisted geometry is meticulously designed: a spiral staircase runs inside, and light will softly flow through the slits and windows.
For the temple, whose construction began in 1882, this is truly a historic milestone. The work has stretched over nearly a century and a half: the project has existed solely on private donations, and during this time it has been led by various architects, continuing Gaudí's vision.
The temple, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, was consecrated in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI and received the status of a basilica — a special rank for a Catholic church intended for solemn services. It was expected that this decision would attract additional attention and support to the project, which has been built on private donations for decades.
Antonio Gaudí, who combined Gothic and modernist elements in his design, dedicated the last 43 years of his life to the construction of the basilica. He tragically died in 1926, and by that time, less than a quarter of the building had been completed. The architect is buried in the crypt of the temple to which he devoted almost his entire life.
Although the exterior of the temple is now virtually formed, about eight years of decorative work still lie ahead. The finishing touches need to be completed, the rays of the cross need to be clad, and sculptural compositions need to be installed, including Agnus Dei — the "Lamb of God."
This work has been entrusted to Italian artist Andrea Mastrovito, the winner of a special competition. His concept is a hollow glass figure of the Lamb, covered in glass crumbs and seemingly floating in the air: it will be suspended from the upper ray of the cross inside a gilded hyperboloid. The composition is meant to symbolize the unity of matter and energy, as well as the connection between the Son and the Father.
The completion of the cross and the Tower of Jesus Christ — essentially, the entire external silhouette of the Basilica of the Expiatory Temple — coincided with the centenary of Antonio Gaudí's death. Throughout the year, commemorative events will take place here. Organizers hope that the anniversary interest of believers and tourists will help raise funds and finally complete the construction by 2034.
