(NITN): At least 141 years after the inception of famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí’s spectacular basilica church and Barcelona’s most famous landmark, the four main towers of La Basílica de la Sagrada Família are finally complete, according to Spain Tourism.
Each tower of the church represents one of the four evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – with each evangelist represented by an animal.
A beloved sight on the Barcelona skyline for a very long time, most locals and visitors are used to their view of the majestic church being impeded by scaffolding, but this is set to change with an end to construction work finally in sight.
“The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família” is an awe-inspiring church that rises up to the sky in the heart of Barcelona as the most audacious work of Gaudí.
The fantastic La Sagrada Família is Barcelona’s most visited tourist attraction.
Popularly known as the Gaudi church, it is a large Roman Catholic church, designed by Gaudí (1852–1926), a symbol of Catalan modernism for his adventurous, whimsical and exuberant works.
The scaffolding on the four towers will be taken down shortly, bringing a new era to Sagrada Família, which is also the final resting place of its famous architect.
It bears the mark of Gaudi’s architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms.
Soaring towers, mind-blowing kaleidoscopic stained glass work and its intricate relief works of sculptures resembling an outgrowth of the stone, make this church a compelling visit if you are in Barcelona.
The team behind the UNESCO-listed site are now looking ahead to completing the central tower, representing Christ; this tower is to be topped with a statue of Jesus, making Sagrada Família one of the tallest churches in the world.
La Basílica de la Sagrada Família is famous for being incomplete, and construction has been hampered by the fact that Gaudí himself did not leave full plans for the cathedral.
However, it is hoped that the church will be finished in its entirety within the next three years, with an anticipated completion date of 2026 marking the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.
(Photo courtesy: Sujoy Dhar)
