The Tower of the Virgin Mary (la torre de la Virgen María) is now, with a height of 138 meters (including the star), the tallest tower in this still unfinished basilica. The star itself has a diameter of 12.5 meters and weighs five and a half tons.
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The ceremonial unveiling of the tower associated with the lighting of the star took place on the occasion of the church holiday of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Construction blessed The Archbishop of Barcelona and Cardinal Juan José Omella and a video message on this event were addressed by Pope Francis.
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The head of the Catholic Church sent greetings to the poorest people of Barcelona, the sick and the covid-19, the elderly and the young, and all those who are having a hard time.
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“May this star, which will shine here from today, enlighten us,” said Pope Francis, who is originally from Argentina. He also expressed the wish that the star help to show daily love, brotherhood and help the most needy.
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Before the twelve-pointed star lit up, Cardinal Omella served Mass. The temple, which is a symbol of the Catalan metropolis, was called by the cardinal as one of the most beautiful in the world.
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The Sagrada Familia has a total of 18 towers. The most recently unveiled Tower of the Virgin Mary will be the second tallest after the tower of Jesus Christ, which is to be 172 meters long, thus surpassing the world’s tallest cathedral in Ulm, Germany (161.5 meters).
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But not everyone is happy with the new tower and the star. According to the daily El Nacional, the association of people living in the vicinity of this Barcelona landmark complained that a lit star would cause light smog, and described it as “horror” from an aesthetic point of view.
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The same association demands that the completion of the basilica be stopped until the town hall solves the problems of the locals caused by mass tourism and alterations around the building.
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The Sagrada Família began construction in 1882, and it is still unclear when this unique architectural work depicting the life of Jesus Christ and biblical history will be completed as imagined by Antoni Gaudí.
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Prior to the covidu-19 pandemic, it was planned to be completed in 2026, 100 years after the architect’s death. However, due to the pandemic, which significantly reduced tourism, and thus part of the income for the completion of this temple, this deadline will almost certainly not be met.
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However, Gaudí did not have much illusions about the completion of the magnificent project. “St. Joseph will finish it,” he said.
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