Giant star illuminates Barcelona skyline on inauguration of Sagrada Familia tower
The second-highest tower of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia was
officially inaugurated on Wednesday with the illumination of the
gigantic 5.5-ton star crowning its highest point.
The inauguration marks a crucial stage in the long completion of what has been dubbed the "world's oldest building site"
At a height of 138 metres, the new tower of the Virgin Mary is the first to be completed since 1976.
The complex was designed by visionary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.
The glass and steel structure - known as Bethlehem's Star - has 12 points and will change the city's skyline both day and night.
Gaudi designed the basilica as a "Bible made of stone", with lots of
cryptical symbolism reflected in its structures, sculptures, and
embellishments.
Construction of the world's oldest building site
was set to be finished by 2026, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced its
consortium to change plans, a new completion date is yet to be set.
Nevertheless,
the basilica has entered its final phase and will soon begin raising
five immense towers that will make it Europe's tallest religious
building, surpassing Germany's Ulm Minster. St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
will still have the tallest interior.
The "Tower of Jesus Christ"
will be crowned by a cross and tightly surrounded by four other towers
dedicated to the four evangelists.
A mere 15 years ago, there was
no roof on the inner part of the church, as it stood between two facades
with eight bell towers, one side looking like a sandcastle, the other a
work of art inspired by cubist painting.
Gaudi won the patronage
of some of Barcelona's wealthiest industrialist and upper-crust
families, who commissioned him to build homes and other daring buildings
and parks that have helped make Barcelona a leading tourist
destination.
A fervent Catholic, Gaudi largely dedicated his life
to the project, incorporating both Christian symbolism and organic forms
into a unique aesthetic.
Gaudi, who died in 1926 after being
struck by a tram, never expected the cathedral to be completed in his
lifetime, just one facade was finished when he died.
