The tower of the Virgin Mary, towards the future of the Sagrada Familia
After months of paralyzed works and economic readjustments as a consequence of the covid-19 pandemic, the construction of the Sagrada Familia was reactivated. A key date has already been set for the future of this expiatory temple that began to be built in 1882. On the 8th of December of 2021, the second tallest tower of the complex, the Tower of the Virgin Mary, was inaugurated.
The Sagrada Familia from the inside. | Shutterstock
It was during the month of January 2021 when the works were restarted, after months paused. Then the main objective was placed as the main objective the rising of this Tower of the Virgin Mary, which is the second highest of the six that crown the sky. It is the only element of the temple on which work has been resumed.
The Tower of the Virgin Mary exceeds 138 meters in height. The last four meters are occupied by a 12-pointed star made of steel and glass. This star is illuminated, both at night and during the day, from December 8, 2021, the day it is scheduled to be inaugurated.
As mentioned, it is the second tallest of the complex. Above it, the Tower of Jesus, which was expected to be 172.5 meters high. In this case, it would have been topped by a glass and ceramic cross measuring 17 meters high. Each of its arms has a span of 13.5 meters wide. The interior is open to visitors, making it the most special viewpoint in the city of Barcelona.
Since the 8th of December of 2021, the Tower of the Virgin Mary illuminates the city from the Sagrada Familia. | Shutterstock
The temple conceived by Antoni Gaudí was scheduled to conclude its construction in 2026, but the arrival of the pandemic delayed the whole process. The date of its completion is still unknown, but it is estimated that it could arrive around 2030.
A main obstacle to this end is, once again, the pandemic, which has slowed the arrival of visitors to the city. The dependence on tourism to continue with the project of the Catalan is almost total, as it is its main source of funding.
For now, it is good news that one more element can be completed. The Tower of the Virgin Mary shines since the 8th of December of 2021 in the Sagrada Familia.
