Barcelona's Sagrada Familia climbs toward its final height

"Since last November, Barcelona's Sagrada Familia has been the tallest church in the world. A few months earlier, in August, it had become the tallest building in the city. But Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi did not want a human work to surpass a creation of nature a work of God, he said. And so the project approaches its maximum height without exceeding Montjuic mountain, which stands at 173 meters."

"At 85 meters up, David, a French stonemason, is giving the final touches to a piece that will form part of the bridge linking the Tower of Jesus with that of the evangelist Luke. The stone hangs from the crane operated by Jose Encina, who works from a cabin at 140 meters. The general foreman of the temple's construction is Jaume Oromi, the conductor of an orchestra of about 150 workers, who likes to describe himself as a master builder."

"The completion date for the Tower of Jesus the central and tallest tower of the temple envisioned by Gaudi, rising to 172.5 meters is drawing near. It will be finished in a matter of weeks. After that, the scaffolding surrounding it a custombuilt structure designed to withstand strong winds will have to be removed. The tower will be inaugurated on June 10, the centenary of the architect's death, a commemoration for which the Construction Board has invited Pope Leo XIV."

Sagrada Familia has become the tallest church in the world and, earlier, the tallest building in Barcelona, yet construction deliberately keeps its height below Montjuic mountain at 173 meters. Workers at high elevations perform detailed stonework and crane operations, with stonemason David working at 85 meters and crane operator Jose Encina in a cabin at 140 meters. General foreman Jaume Oromi oversees about 150 workers, ensuring safety and progress across scaffolding, elevators, and future stained-glass openings. The central Tower of Jesus will rise to 172.5 meters and is due for completion and inauguration on June 10, the centenary of Gaudi's death.

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