In 1939, thirteen years after the death of Gaudí, the construction site took its works up again under the direction of a new architect who restored the burned crypt, consolidated the foundations, and reconstructed as much as he could from the master's sketches.
In 1954 a national fundraising day was established that coincided with the start of the west façade, that of the Passion. It took 30 years to complete the architectural part of this façade, and an incredible fifty years for the ornamental part, which was completed only in 2005.
In 1961 a museum was inaugurated in the crypt containing all the relative documentation, reconstruction projects, and original documents.
After the completion of the Passion façade's steeples in 1976, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Gaudí's death, the central nave's construction finally began with the laying of the pillars' foundations, which will support fretwork including vaults, openings, and minor columns.
In 2000, the year of the Jubilee, the vaults of the transverse arms were completed and the final draft of the main façade, or Glory façade was presented, which will be flanked by towers dedicated to the Apostles Andrew, Peter, Paul, and James.
In 2008 the vaults of the rear hall were completed, and in 2010 those of the central nave and choir dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
In 2011 the unfortunate crypt was again the victim of arson; it fortunately caused very little damage but created a great deal of panic in the near 1500 tourists who were inside.
Between 2016 and 2023, the four impressive towers dedicated to the evangelists Matthew, John, Luke, and Mark were completed. These towers stand tall at 135 meters each, culminating with their respective symbolic figures.
Meanwhile, in 2021, the magnificent tower dedicated to the Virgin Mary was inaugurated, reaching a height of 158 meters and topped with a 12-pointed star.
The year 2026 marks the completion of the central tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ, standing at an impressive 170 meters and being the tallest among all the cathedral towers.
Today the Sagrada Familia is well under way: you can visit a completed nave and admire two lateral façades and the beautiful group of spire towers. How long before it's finally finished? That's impossible to predict. At the current pace of donations, it is hoped that the works will be done "within the first third of the century". The entire Glory façade with its four towers is missing. Perhaps when it is finished it will be less charming; but perhaps only then will Gaudí truly be able to rest in peace among the towers of his masterpiece.
FUN FACT: would you like to see the Sagrada Familia completed? You can on YouTube! A video shows you the towers reaching the dizzy heights foreseen in the project. The highest, central tower should reach 172 meters, just one meter shorter than Montjüic Hill in Barcelona. In fact according to Gaudí, man must not exceed that which God has created.
Language: English