the Holy Family It has been admired for a century. Since 1882 Antonio Gaudi He began to raise the temple in the heart Barcelona We have already seen that the work will not be just a church: today, with the presence of the basilica … Finally, it is an object of fascination for its architect’s ingenuity in its unique forms and symbolism.
Moreover, this 2026 Promises to be a year Very special For the Holy Family: It is recognized that his works are eternal They will reach the top Next year which, in addition, coincides with Centenary of Gaudí’s death, When he only had sketches for his finished work. For all these reasons, the temple invited Pope Leo XIV himself to visit Barcelona.
What is undeniable is that no one can resist expressing his opinion when he sees a temple, and architects are no exception, as they can, with their most experienced eyes in the matter, evaluate the progress of the works. Now, a respected architect Bettina KorolukThe restoration and heritage preservation expert spoke frankly about the shape of the Jesus Christ Tower, which will be the tallest of the central towers, after its construction is completed.
“A Dialogue with the Abstract Spirituality of the Twenty-First Century”
Korolok spoke specifically, without any hesitation, of the cross that was fixed to the top of the tower, to which the arm had already been fixed and to which he saw him adding pieces day after day. When finished, the final height will be 172.5 meters and the cross (with four arms over 15 meters high) will be a new symbol of the temple. “Due to its importance and size, it will become an urban landmark“, the expert says in statements to the sector magazine “Architecture and Design.”
“It will be a reference element in the silhouette of the city. Barcelona gains a new focal point recognizable from multiple distances and points of view,” highlights the architect. “The intention of the cross to play with light (day and night) gives it a contemporary dimension, which in a way Dialogues with abstract spirituality for the twenty-first century“, notes Korolok.
In this sense, the Barcelona-based architect tells Architecture and Design that the cross “is the piece that completes the vertical narrative of the Sagrada Familia and makes the theological and architectural hierarchy of the complex literally visible with a powerful sculptural piece.” For her it is very satisfying.” Close narrative To a building that has been without its main finishing for more than a century.
Moreover, it highlights that, like everything in Gaudí’s work, it has a special meaning. In this case, he says this through the inscriptions that will be at the base of the cross (Tu solus Sanctus, Tu solus Dominus, Tu solus Altissimus – You are the only Holy One, You are the only Lord, You are the only Most High –) and he remembers that they will be given «Symbolic and formal cohesion» The work of modernist genius.
In addition, he also has a clear opinion about the fact that the cross will be a viewing point (with capacity for 11 people). “This climax will reignite a necessary debate about what it means to complete unfinished business, to what extent a legacy can or should be interpreted, and what role that legacy should play? Religious archaeology In the contemporary city», says the expert.