133 years since the laying of its foundation, the construction of Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família has entered its final phase. This news was announced in a recent press conference by the project's directing architect Jordi Faulí, who will oversee the completion of six new towers that will raise the "Tower of Jesus Christ" to 172.5 meters-tall, making it the tallest religious structure in Europe and Barcelona's tallest building.
The final stage will include the construction of the 172.5 meter Tower of Jesus Christ, as well as five other 135-meter towers honoring the Virgin Mary and the four apostles.
More information and a video after the break.
With 70 percent of the Barcelona landmark built, the structure is scheduled to (mostly) complete by 2026, coinciding with the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudí. Some small modifications may take up to five years after to finalize. "It's difficult to predict but we can say that it will be completed by 2030, 2032," said Faulí to Ifpress.
As reported by the Spanish media ABC, the project will be executed using a new process "used by the tension of the stones; stone blocks will be built up to 6x5 meters per panel with steel rods that tighten and strengthen so that it may better withstand the force of the wind."
Declared a World Heritage Site in 2005, the Sagrada Família was named the 5th most interesting tourist site in the world in the Travelers' Choice Awards, receiving over 3.2 million tourists each year.
News via The Independent , ABC and El País.
