Sagrada Familia cathedral, Barcelona

Begun in 1882, the Sagrada Familia is the emblematic work a Genious architect : Antonio Gaudi. He devoted 40 years of his life to this work.

When he died in 1926, he left many plans and models of which many parts unfortunately disappeared during the 1936 civil war. Gaudi’s spirit is more or less respected in the current work : if you want to notice differences, you can compare the portal of the Nativity, carried out under the direct control of Gaudi, and the modern portal of the Passion. These changing can be explained by modern techniques and aesthetics, as well as the need to limit the costs of building.

The continuation of the project is a symbolic challenge for the autonomous region of Catalonia. For many years, the works have been slowed or stopped due to the lack of money. It should be noted that neither the State nor the commune has invested one cent in the building. Only the generosity of the Catalans - and tourists - allows the continuation of the work.

The Sagrada Familia project involves the construction of 12 steeples (one for each Apostle), 4 more for the evangelists, another dedicated to the Virgin and the most important (170m in height) crowned with the typical Gaudí 4 arms cross, symbolizing Jesus Christ.

These parabolic steeples have coil stairs that surround a space where shall be tubular bells that Gaudí has studied for years : they will ring thanks to compressed air and percussion (these bells are one of the last items to be constructed in the cathedral).

The building should be completed in 2026, for the centenary of the Gaudi death.

http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/SF-en...