In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years

Workers assembling the upper part of the tower of the cross of Jesus Christ on the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Photo: Enric Fonkuberta/EPA

The final piece of the central tower of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia has been laid in place, bringing the church to its maximum final height 144 years after work began, reports The Guardian.

After several days when it has been too windy to work, the upper section of the 17 metre-high four-sided steel and glass cross was winched into position at 11am on Friday, completing the tower dedicated to Jesus Christ. At 172.5 metres, the Sagrada Familia, to which the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí devoted the later part of his life, is Barcelona’s tallest building and the world’s tallest church.

Chief architect of the project Jordi Jordi Faulí called this event a "joyful day" for all who have participated in realizing Gaudi's vision over the decades. The official ceremony to mark the completion of the tower construction is scheduled for June 10 – on the centenary of the architect's death.

Despite the completion of work on the central tower, construction of the church continues. Ahead lies the construction of the southern "Glory" facade and a number of architectural elements. The project is planned to be fully completed in approximately ten years.

Sagrada Familia remains the main symbol of Barcelona and the city's largest tourist attraction: it is visited by about 5 million people annually, and ticket revenues are directed toward further construction and finishing work.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Lviv authorities will allocate 300 thousand hryvnias for the UGCC church damaged by shelling.

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