Sagrada Familia marks 100 years since the completion of its first tower

The Sagrada Familia hosted a commemorative act on Sunday to mark 100 years since the completion of its first tower, that of the Saint Barnabus bell tower on the Nativity façade. 

Managers of the Sagrada Familia say that celestial architect Antoni Gaudí knew that he could not finish the temple alone and, for this reason, he left a tower built, completed just a year before his untimely death, so that people could see the grandiosity of the project and his disciples could continue it.

With this event, the Sagrada Familia wants to remember the significant historical moment, the completion of the only tower that Gaudí saw finished during his lifetime, and to pay tribute to the architect.

Officials from the unfinished basilica say that Gaudí conceived of a project capable of fusing art, engineering, and nature in a unique architectural language with a universal vocation.

The tower was lit up for the ceremony as a manifesto titled 'Fa goig' ('It's fun') was read out as part of the tribute to the architect, while the Castellers of the Sagrada Família group built a human tower rising inside the temple.

There was also an informative conference to teach about the construction of the Barnabus Tower in the context of European cathedrals, featuring Dr. Jordi Faulí, architect director and coordinator of the works of the Sagrada Família temple, and Dr. Chiara Curti, architect and scholar of Gaudí.

Cross of Tower of Jesus Christ

Earlier in the week, the pieces that form part of the cross of the Tower of Jesus Christ progressed significantly, and according to the planned schedule.

After placing the lower arm on October 30 and the central core that will join all the arms, last Tuesday, the first horizontal arm was installed, the one oriented towards the Nativity façade.

Soon, the second arm will be installed, the one oriented towards the Passion façade.

The arms follow the double-turn geometry characteristic of the set. They have an octagonal shape at the inner end, which connect to the core, and a square shape at the outer end.

Each piece weighs approximately 11.30 tons and measures 4.40m x 4.50m x 4.50m.

The arrival of the remaining three arms is expected in the coming weeks. Once located on a platform at 54 meters, preliminary tasks will be carried out, such as the installation of glass and other interior work, before completing the final assembly at the tower terminal.