Gaudí's Sagrada Familia to host service after 127yrs
Barcelona's famous cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudí is finally ready to host its first service – nearly 130 years after building work began.
Architects labouring to finish the city's most famous landmark, the church of the Sagrada Familia, have said the monumental basilica will hold its first service next summer.
Gaudí began work on his most ambitious project in 1882 but his death in 1926 beneath the wheels of a tram in the Catalan capital meant completion of his opus was entrusted to future generations.
The project has been plagued with problems over the years leaving Spaniards and the five million tourists estimated to visit the bizarre structure each year wondering if it would ever be completed.
Now, the chief architect has announced that by the summer of 2010 the apse roof will be in place and Gaudí's daring cathedral with its soaring spires and sculptures fusing religious imagery with natural forms will at last be ready to fulfil its purpose and host Catholic Mass.
The 20,000 ton basilica, possibly the world's most famous unfinished building, has had a troubled history. Gaudi, known as 'God's architect' for his pious yet visionary obsession died penniless after sinking all his money into the project when public funds dried up.
During the Spanish Civil war of 1936-39 anarchists burned the original plans for the project leaving modern architects struggling to remain true to Gaudí's vision.
Fears for the foundations of the cathedral have been raised after approval was given last year for a high speed rail link between Madrid and Barcelona that passes within metres of the structure.
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
Architects labouring to finish the city's most famous landmark, the church of the Sagrada Familia, have said the monumental basilica will hold its first service next summer.
Gaudí began work on his most ambitious project in 1882 but his death in 1926 beneath the wheels of a tram in the Catalan capital meant completion of his opus was entrusted to future generations.
The project has been plagued with problems over the years leaving Spaniards and the five million tourists estimated to visit the bizarre structure each year wondering if it would ever be completed.
Now, the chief architect has announced that by the summer of 2010 the apse roof will be in place and Gaudí's daring cathedral with its soaring spires and sculptures fusing religious imagery with natural forms will at last be ready to fulfil its purpose and host Catholic Mass.
The 20,000 ton basilica, possibly the world's most famous unfinished building, has had a troubled history. Gaudi, known as 'God's architect' for his pious yet visionary obsession died penniless after sinking all his money into the project when public funds dried up.
During the Spanish Civil war of 1936-39 anarchists burned the original plans for the project leaving modern architects struggling to remain true to Gaudí's vision.
Fears for the foundations of the cathedral have been raised after approval was given last year for a high speed rail link between Madrid and Barcelona that passes within metres of the structure.