Two giant cranes have been erected to complete work on the iconic basilica’s spire.
Earlier this month, two massive cranes were painstakingly erected over Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Família basilica, marking the beginning of the final phase of construction on the unfinished project that began in 1882.
Designed by famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and under construction for the last 140 years, the church combines Gothic and Art Nouveau forms into what is widely considered to be among the most beautiful and transportive buildings on Earth. (Not for everybody, though. George Orwell once called it the „ugliest” building in the world.)
The Sagrada Família is now cruising toward its expected 2026 completion with the help of a pair of Liebherr cranes, chosen for their high lifting capacity and adaptability to the dense urban environment of central Barcelona.
After crews finished the four towers of the Evangelists in November 2023, there is only one more spire to complete the group of six central towers, the last major phase of the project. These cranes will play a crucial role in the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the pinnacle of the basilica that will reach a height of 564.3 feet, officially making it the tallest church in the world.
„The construction department of the Sagrada Família chose these cranes for two main reasons: firstly, their folding design minimizes the impact on surrounding buildings, and secondly, their adaptability to the area’s specific requirements,” said Fernando Villa, director of construction and technology at the basilica.
Stunning photographs provided by Liebherr to Newsweek show the cranes coming into place high above the streets of Barcelona.
‘Future of Modern Catalonia’
The completion of the Sagrada Família will not only fulfill Gaudí’s vision but also represent a significant achievement in modern engineering and construction. Gaudí once described the basilica as representing „the future of modern Catalonia.”
Gaudí first took over the project in 1883 and transformed it into a landmark of Catalan modernism. His sudden death in 1926—he was hit by a tram crossing the street—left the church only about 20 percent completed.
Throughout its construction, the Sagrada Família has faced numerous obstacles. The Spanish Civil War in the 1930s halted progress, and many of Gaudí’s original plans were lost or destroyed in a fire. More recently, construction was paused during the Covid pandemic. But a resurgence in tourism post-pandemic has helped to provide the necessary funds to push the project towards completion at long last.
In recent years, advancements in construction technology and increased funding from Barcelona’s tourism coffers have accelerated the pace of work. Last year, approximately 4.7 million people visited the attraction. Ticket sales, which range from $28 to $43, generated about $135 million, half of which is allocated to construction efforts.
One notable challenge came with the discovery in 2016 that the church had been built without a proper building permit, a situation described as a „historical anomaly” by city officials. This was rectified in 2019, allowing construction to proceed legally for the first time in 137 years.
The use of modern construction techniques has been instrumental in completing Gaudí’s vision. Prefabricated stone panels have been employed to speed up the construction of the remaining towers, a method recommended by engineering firm Arup.
Gaudí’s influence extends beyond the Sagrada Família. His architectural works, such as Park Güell and Casa Batlló, are also major tourist attractions in Barcelona. But the basilica is his masterpiece, and the structure is now on track to be completed in time for the centennial of his death.
„The Chapel of the Assumption is expected to be finished in 2025 and the Tower of Jesus Christ in 2026,” according to La Sagrada Família Foundation. Minor decorative and sculptural work is likely to continue through the end of the decade, and there remains a debate over how to construct a stairway to the main entrance that would, under current plans, force the dislodging of hundreds of families and businesses.
When asked, a century ago, why the project was taking so long, Gaudí is famously quoted as saying: „My client is not in a hurry.”
SŁOWNICZEK
crane – dźwig, żuraw
painstakingly erected – starannie/ pieczołowicie wzniesiony
high lifting capacity – duże możliwości udźwigu
spire – iglica (wieży)
tower – wieża
pinnacle – szczyt, wierzchołek
landmark – charakterystyczny obiekt
numerous obstacles – liczne przeszkody
resurgence – odrodzenie się, nawrót
tourism coffers – środki/fundusze z turystyki
building permit – pozwolenie na budowę
rectify – naprawiać, skorygować
masterpiece – arcydzieło
centennial – setna rocznica
sculptural work – dzieło rzeźbiarskie
stairway – schody, klatka schodowa
dislodging – wysiedlenie, przemieszczenie
Task 1
Listen to the recording and answer the following questions:
1. When did the construction of the Sagrada Família begin?
2. Who designed the Sagrada Família and what architectural styles does it combine?
3. What are the cranes currently being used for at the Sagrada Família?
4. What challenges has the Sagrada Família faced during its construction? 5. How has tourism contributed to the construction of the Sagrada Família?
6. When is the Sagrada Família expected to be completed?
Task 2
First, match the words to form collocations and verb phrases that will help you describe the issue presented in the article. Next, write down a sentence using each collocation and verb phrase. The sentences you create should relate to the topic being discussed in the text. (See Key)
Collocations:
iconic
unfinished
famed
Catalan
construction
notable
tourist
sculptural
challenge
architect
attractions
basilica
work
project
technology
modernism
Verb phrases:
combine
cruise toward
fulfill
play
represent
provide
push
speed up
Gaudí’s vision
the construction
the necessary funds
Gothic and Art Nouveau forms
the project towards completion
the expected 2026 completion
a crucial role
a significant achievement
Task 3
Task description: Students will participate in a discussion about Gaudí’s Sagrada Família. Task elements:
1. In pairs, share with each other what you remember from the text about the Sagrada Família and who was the architect.
2. Discuss with a partner why the Sagrada Família is an important building in Barcelona.
3. Talk with your partner about how the construction of the Sagrada Família has changed from Gaudí’s time to now.
4. In small groups, discuss the different problems that slowed down the construction of the Sagrada Família.
5. In pairs, create a short description of the Sagrada Família that you would tell to tourists. Include why it’s special and what makes it different from other churches.
Task 4
Complete the following summary using information from the text.
Earlier this month, two large 1) ________ were installed at Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, starting the final phase of construction on the basilica, which began in 1882. Designed by 2) ________, this famous church combines Gothic and 3) ________ styles. The cranes will help complete the Tower of Jesus Christ, making the basilica the tallest church in the world. Despite obstacles like 4) ________ and the Covid pandemic, modern techniques and 5) ________ have pushed the project towards its expected completion in 2026.
