The final section of the central tower of the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona was laid in place yesterday, bringing the building to its maximum final height, 144 years after work began, the Guardian reports.
The top of the 17-meter-tall four-sided steel and glass cross was lifted into place yesterday, completing the tower dedicated to Jesus Christ.
The project's chief architect, Jordi Faulli, said on the occasion that it was "a joyful day, wonderful for all the people who made it possible," as the Catalan and Vatican flags were raised.
The Sagrada Familia, to which Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí devoted his life, is at 172,5 meters the tallest building in Barcelona and the tallest church in the world. A ceremony to mark the completion of the tower, the highest of the 18 that Gaudí had envisioned, is scheduled to take place on the centenary of Gaudí's death, on June 10.
The completion of the church's construction is expected in about ten years, by which time the striking facade facing south should be completed, reports Tanjug.
The Sagrada Familia is Barcelona's main tourist attraction, with around five million visitors a year and an annual income of around 150 million euros, about half of which has been spent on construction so far.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
