Barcelona's main cathedral has been under construction for over 140 years and is still not finished (11 photos + 2 videos)

This construction began on March 19, 1882 and, according to the most optimistic forecasts, will end only in 2028.





Initially, the project was not so large-scale; Francisco Paula de Villar conceived it simply as a modest neo-Gothic basilica in the shape of a Latin cross. But literally a year later, having quarreled with the clients (the “Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph” community), he left his post as chief architect.



Original design of the Sagrada Familia project

His place was taken by Antonio Gaudi, under whose leadership the cathedral acquired its final shape. The architect spent 42 years working, according to his idea, 18 towers should rise above the cathedral, the highest reaching 170 meters. But during his lifetime, only the facade was completed; at the age of 73, Antonio died under the wheels of the first tram in Barcelona.





Almost all of the master's work was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. In the summer of 1936, a gang of anarchists broke into the cathedral, smashed the models and burned many drawings.



Only by 1940 was it possible to partially restore some models, on which work was subsequently continued.

Another interesting fact that will explain such a lengthy construction is funding exclusively from parishioners.



The church still has nothing to do with this grandiose building.



A construction license was obtained only in 2019; before that, the cathedral was considered an unauthorized construction for 137 years. This is despite the fact that in 2010 the unfinished cathedral was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI and officially opened for worship.

Skip

By the way, not all local residents are delighted with the proximity to such a monumental structure, which has not yet been completed and is being reconstructed.



In addition to work on the facade, it is planned to build a grand staircase, underground parking for tourist buses, and a metro tunnel under Calle Mallorca. For these purposes, an entire block of residential buildings must be demolished, which the townspeople managed to build over 140 years.

Well, a little beauty for you.