en.Wedoany.com Reported - The new cross atop the central tower of the Sagrada Familia — the Tower of Jesus Christ — has been installed, marking the penultimate phase of the exterior work on the church, which began construction in 1882. Designed by Mexican architect Mauricio Cortés, the cross stands about five stories tall and weighs approximately 100 tons. It is made of stainless steel, white enamel ceramic cladding, and colored glass from Catalonia.
Cortés stated that designing a structure as lightweight as possible was key to the cross's creation. The cross features four outward-extending arms, creating a 3D effect. The structure was manufactured in Germany, then shipped in pieces to Barcelona, where the cladding and glass were installed upon arrival. During construction, a crane lifted the cross structure to a work platform 200 feet above the ground, where building experts covered the stainless steel structure with white enamel ceramic cladding and glass in a triangular pattern. The cross was then lifted again, finally reaching the top of the central Tower of Jesus Christ, which was completed in February.
In an interview with CBS News, Cortés said the design of the cross was the culmination of over a decade of work. He completed the design based on the drawings of architect Antoni Gaudí, who has been recognized by the Catholic Church as "Venerable" and is now eligible for sainthood. With the installation of the cross, the Sagrada Familia now stands 566 feet tall, making it the tallest church in the world.
The Sagrada Familia has been under construction for 144 years. Pope Leo XIV presided over a solemn Mass in Barcelona this month and bestowed a liturgical blessing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death and to honor the cross installation. In his homily, the Pope described the Sagrada Familia as a model of the highest Catholic ideals and visited Gaudí's tomb in the church's crypt. With the exterior work nearing completion, interior work will continue until 2028. Additionally, the "Glory Facade" (the main entrance) will undergo construction, featuring a grand staircase connecting the church to the street. Once the interior work and staircase are finished, the Sagrada Familia will be considered complete. Local designer Jordi Faulí serves as the chief architect.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
