On December 8, 2021, the Sagrada Familia celebrated a significant milestone with the inauguration of the Tower of the Virgin Mary. This event was marked by a solemn mass and the first lighting of the star atop the second-tallest tower of the basilica, symbolizing both a spiritual and architectural achievement.
The religious service, held in conjunction with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the conclusion of the Year of Saint Joseph, commenced at 6:00 pm within the basilica’s hallowed walls. The ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Joan Josep Omella i Omella, the Archbishop of Barcelona, adding a profound sense of occasion to the event. The mass was a fitting tribute to the deep religious roots of the Sagrada Familia, reflecting its ongoing role as a place of worship and spiritual reflection.
Following the mass, the Tower of the Virgin Mary was blessed, an event that could be witnessed from Carrer de la Marina or streamed online at estel.sagradafamilia.org. The tower’s illumination marked a new chapter in the basilica’s history, with the radiant star becoming a new beacon in the Barcelona skyline.
The inauguration festivities reached their zenith with the premiere of “MAGNIFICAT,” a musical composition by Marc Timón, performed by the renowned Orfeó Català. This piece of music, specially composed for the occasion, added a layer of artistic celebration, merging the visual and auditory elements of the event into a harmonious tribute to the basilica’s progress.
As the Sagrada Familia moves towards its completion, slated for 2026 to coincide with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death, several key milestones continue to shape its journey. The construction and inauguration of the Tower of the Virgin Mary are part of a broader vision that includes the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, which will stand as the tallest structure in the basilica at 172.5 meters. This tower, once finished, will feature a stunning 17-meter cross made of crystal and white ceramic, designed to reflect sunlight by day and illuminate the city by night, symbolizing Gaudí’s vision of light and divinity.
In recent years, significant progress has been made on various fronts. The towers of the Evangelists Luke and Mark were completed in 2022, and the four towers of the Evangelists were inaugurated in 2023, surrounding the central Tower of Jesus Christ. These towers, part of the central group, are pivotal to the structural and symbolic completion of the basilica.
Innovation continues to drive the project forward. A new crane, installed 54 meters above the ground on the roofs of the central nave, is facilitating the safe and efficient completion of the remaining construction tasks. This crane is essential for finishing the Tower of Jesus Christ and connecting it to the Tower of the Virgin Mary, the Glory façade, and the central nave’s roofs.
As the Sagrada Familia approaches the centenary of Gaudí’s death in 2026, each milestone is a testament to the enduring legacy of Gaudí’s visionary genius. The completion of the basilica will not only fulfill Gaudí’s ambitious dream but also stand as a symbol of architectural innovation, spiritual significance, and cultural heritage, inspiring future generations.
