Restoration of La Sagrada Familia nears completion

One of the first places visited by tourists coming to Barcelona, Spain, which is among the most beautiful cities in the world, 'La Sagrada Familia' draws attention not only for its magnificent appearance but also for being in the shadow of cranes.

Construction of 'La Sagrada Familia,' known as the 'unfinished church,' began in 1882 with the help of the public.

Architect Antoni Gaudi, wanting 'La Sagrada Familia,' which he called his masterpiece, to be a magnificent structure, used complex architecture in his designs.

Architect Antoni Gaudi, who left his mark on important works in Catalonia, lost his life on June 7, 1926, at the age of 73, after being struck by a train while trying to watch his work from across the street.

While Architect Antoni Gaudi was buried in La Sagrada Familia, the architectural mystery of the project has remained unsolved for 141 years.

VISITED IN THE SHADOW OF CRANES

The world's best architects have been working on the project for years to solve Architect Antoni Gaudi's mysterious drawings and complete La Sagrada Familia. In the 141 years that have passed, the project is still under construction. Millions of people visit Barcelona to see La Sagrada Familia, where cranes are present.

If everything goes as planned at La Sagrada Familia, where work continues to complete its four towers, the construction of the church will be finished in 2026. With a height of 172.5 meters, the Sagrada Familia will be the tallest church in the world.

The Nativity Facade, the first part of the structure to be completed and which directly carries Gaudi's influence, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list along with six other works by Gaudi in Barcelona.

'THEY HAVE VALUED HISTORY'

Mehmet Ali Kaşka, who traveled from Kocaeli to Spain to see La Sagrada Familia, said, "We came to Barcelona for tourism; it is a very beautiful, vibrant city. Again, great attention has been paid to the historical texture. They are making the best effort they can to ensure it is not spoiled. Security measures in cathedrals are very high. You are not searched when entering anywhere else, but you are searched when entering cathedrals. This is an indicator of how much they value history. We saw La Sagrada Familia. It is a very beautiful place. It is a place where a similar example would be very hard to find. It has an unfinished story."

The construction is aimed to be completed by 2026, which marks the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.

In the same year, Barcelona, which will be the UNESCO World Capital of Architecture, is planned to host the International Union of Architects (UIA) Congress.

News Source: İHA