Sagrada Família enters final stretch of works on tower of Jesus Christ - Sagrada Família enters final stretch of works on tower of Jesus Christ

At a press conference today, the Sagrada Família announced the next steps in construction of the Basilica, which will focus on completing the tower of Jesus Christ and the Chapel of the Assumption. The event featured Mr Xavier Martínez, General Director, and Mr Jordi Faulí, head architect.

Toward completion of the tower of Jesus Christ

Jordi Faulí gave an overview of the works in 2024 and highlighted that one of the most important milestones is completing the tower of Jesus Christ in 2025. The final panel is expected to go on the tower in late 2024, the twelfth level, before work starts on the last part of the tower: the cross pinnacle.

The tower will be crowned with a four-armed cross that will be 17 metres tall and 13.5 metres wide, clad in glass and white enamelled tiles. It is a highly complex construction process that has used various materials and techniques, with enamelled ceramic and glass designed and produced specially for the cross. The ceramics include curved and pyramid pieces, and there will be windows with three layers of curved, laminated glass with ground, polished pyramids and textures.

Final phase of construction of the Chapel of the Assumption in 2025

In 2024, works have progressed on the lower ground floor and ground floor of the cloisters adjacent to the chapel. Currently, the columns of the cloister, the first tensioned-stone ribs and the ceramic vaults that will enclose this section of the cloister are visible from Carrer de Provença. Once this section of the cloister has been enclosed, the crane will be moved and the Chapel of the Assumption is planned to be built in 2025.

Jordi Faulí announced that four of the five sections of the roofs on the side naves on the Passion and Nativity façades have been finished. These roofs, which were started in 2019 and stand 30 metres off the ground, collect and channel water, insulate the Basilica with a ventilated chamber like an attic, and let light in through pyramidal lanterns.

The roofs are supported by Catalan vaults resting on ceramic arches, which transfer the load to the columns in the nave. The outside of the roofs and lanterns is stone and the surfaces that connect to the pediments of the windows will be trencadís mosaic, like the pinnacle of the lantern.

New Social Action Fund grant call

Additionally, General Director of the Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Família Xavier Martínez announced some changes in the second Social Action Fund call.

In order to reach more than 100 organisations and in line with the goal of building a better society, this second call has been endowed with 50% more funds than the first call, with a total of €3.5 million. Registration opens on 1 October and the list of grant winners is expected to be posted in mid-March 2025.

Open Doors Days 2024

On 21, 22, 23 and 24 September, the Sagrada Família is holding its annual Open Doors Days. This year, 20,000 people will get to visit the Basilica thanks to a draw open to the public, which 66,580 people entered. They will get to see the work under way to complete the tower of Jesus Christ: for the first time, part of the prototype of the cross that will top the tower (half of one of the arms) will be on display in the materials yard.