Very slowly, but steadily, the construction process of the Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí advances. This basilica located in the city of Barcelona has been in the making for much longer than we all would like. To tell the truth, there are several generations that have passed through the world without appreciating this finished work of art.
Now, despite the fact that it is not over yet, there are details about its completion that are not a secret to anyone. Undoubtedly, this motivates us to want the work of this masterful structure to be reduced to the shortest possible time. Every day there is less time left to be able to observe the wonderful towers of the evangelists Lucas and Marcos.
Of course, the most longed for tower of all humanity is that of Jesus Christ. In fact, this tower is supposed to be the highest of the entire construction. Therefore, it will reach an average height of 172.50 meters. In the same way, it is important to mention that the towers of the evangelists will bear the pertinent coronation. Each of these figures is represented by an animal. Therefore, Lucas will wear the head of an ox and Mark that of a lion.
If you want to know more about this work in person, you can visit Orientam Tours & Guides. Here you will find everything you need about local guides to tour the wonderful city of Barcelona and much more. In this article, we collect the most interesting data related to this wonderful architectural work.
A bit of history about the Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí
The Sagrada Familia is a Catholic basilica located in Barcelona, Spain. Although it may seem incredible, it has been built since 1882. It was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, who worked on it for more than 40 years.
The idea of building a basilica in honor of the Sagrada Familia arose in 1866. The reason for this was born when a group of Catholics from Barcelona decided to build a church in honor of the Sagrada Familia. The aim was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to two shepherds, France. In 1882, Gaudí joined the project and began working on the design of the basilica.
Gaudí worked on the Sagrada Familia for more than 40 years. In fact, during this time he designed and built much of the basilica. However, Gaudí did not see his life’s work completed. Unfortunately, the architect died in 1926 and the basilica was still not finished. Although construction has continued since then, the basilica is still not complete.
The work was expected to end in 2026 in order to commemorate the centenary of Gaudí’s death. However, its completion date currently stretches to 2030. Despite this grim news, however, there are many indications of how this work will turn out after all. A video was even released recreating the final appearance estimated for this infrastructure.
How is Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia distributed?
The basilica has a unique shape. Therefore, it is distributed in different levels and sections. On the ground floor are the ribbed, the choir and the baptistery. The upper floor is divided into two levels: the level of the gospels and the level of the apostles.
On the ground floor, the ribbed is the place where the three main naves of the basilica are located . For its part, the altar and the baptistery are located in the choir. The latter is the space created for baptisms.
On the upper floor, the level of the gospels is where the four towers representing the evangelists are found. Also, at the level of the apostles are the 12 towers that represent the apostles.
In addition to these sections, the Sagrada Familia also has a series of towers and decorative elements, such as stained glass windows and sculptures. All these elements give the basilica its characteristic unique appearance.
What characteristics does the tower of Jesus Christ have in Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia?
The tower of Jesus Christ is one of the 18 towers that are part of the Sagrada Familia. The tower of Jesus Christ is the main tower of the basilica. In fact, given its importance, it is located in the center of the main façade. It is also the tallest tower of the basilica. Finally, it is expected to have an approximate height of 170 meters.
This peculiar tower is designed to represent Jesus Christ. Because of this, it is inspired by the tree of life, with branches that symbolize the twelve apostles. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that it is built with limestone. In addition, it has a series of decorative details, such as sculptures and stained glass windows, which give the tower a unique appearance.
At the base of the tower there are three doors, which symbolize the three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity. Each door is decorated with reliefs and sculptures that represent different biblical scenes.
Tower of the Virgin Mary
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia has a tower dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This tower is located on the left side of the main façade. At the top of the tower is a 12-pointed star. This star is a symbol traditionally associated with the Virgin Mary.
The 12-pointed star is an emblem that has been used in various religions and cultures throughout history. It is even worth mentioning that it has been interpreted in different ways. In the context of the Basilica of the Holy Family, the 12-pointed star may be symbolizing the role of the Virgin Mary as the mother of Jesus. Likewise, his relationship with the 12 apostles.
San Barnabas bell tower on the Nativity façade
This infrastructure has a façade dedicated to the Birth of Jesus. It is important to mention that this is one of the three main facades of the Basilica. This façade is located on the right side of the Basilica and is dedicated to telling the story of the birth of Jesus.
In the center of the Nativity façade is the bell tower of San Bernabé, which is a tall, thin tower that juts out from the façade. The bell tower of San Bernabé is decorated with floral and stylized motifs. In fact, it is one of the most notable features of the Nativity façade.
A curious fact about this section of the basilica is that it was the only thing that Gaudí managed to see completed before his death.
Why has the construction of the Sagrada Família taken so long?
Actually, it is common that sometimes there are delays when any work is built. However, in the case of the Sagrada Família, there are many adversities that have to do with the fact that it is still under construction after such a long time.
Lack of funds
One of the main reasons why it has taken so long to build the Sagrada Família is the lack of funds. The construction of the basilica has been financed mainly by donations. Likewise, for the sale of tickets to tourists. In this sense, the amount of money available for the work has been limited. In addition, the basilica has suffered several interruptions due to economic and political problems.
Project complexities
Another reason why it has taken so long to build the Sagrada Família is the fact that it is an ambitious and complex project. The basilica has a series of decorative elements and details that have required a lot of time and effort to build. Together, the fact that the work has been developed over several decades has contributed to the delay in its construction.
The spanish civil war
The construction of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia has been a long and complex process. In fact, it has had several interruptions over the years. One of the most important was the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) . During this historic moment, construction was halted and part of the construction materials and tools disappeared.
Furthermore, Gaudí did not leave detailed plans for the completion of the Basilica. Therefore, after his death, the architects who continued the work had to rely on his sketches and models to try to understand his vision for the work. Despite these challenges, the construction of the Basilica has continued. Currently, it is in its final phase. It is expected to be completed sometime in the 21st century.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The basilica was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. The Sagrada Familia was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is due to its outstanding universal value. The basilica is recognized as one of the masterpieces of Catalan modernism. In addition, it is recognized for its architectural innovation and creativity.
The inclusion of the Sagrada Família on the UNESCO World Heritage List was a recognition of its cultural and architectural importance. However, it also represented a way to protect it and promote its conservation. Since its inclusion in the list, the basilica has been one of the main tourist attractions in Barcelona. Thanks to this, it is considered a symbol of the city.
