After 130 years of construction, the towers of the Sagrada Familia have been erected using different techniques due to the modernization of construction solutions. They are also responsible for the fact that once the church is completed, it will be the tallest church in the world and the tallest building in Barcelona. We are going to analyze how they are and why they have been designed as such, since the towers of the Sagrada FamiliaThe new buildings, apart from having an unusual beauty, will be the landmark of Barcelona, since they can be seen from any part of the city. Once completed, the Sagrada Familia will have 18 towers.
Description of the towers of the Sagrada Familia
It is 18 the number of the towers of the Sagrada Familia. Of these, 12 are bell towers located in quartets above each of the 3 facades of the temple and are dedicated to the twelve apostles. The remaining towers are located in the center of the complex, 4 of them are dedicated to the evangelists and the last two are the Virgin Mary and Jesus, which will be the tallest at 172.5 m high.
All of them were designed by Gaudí to be seen from afar.The design and construction of the building will be simplified as much as possible. They have a sharp shape, the result of a masterful change of alignments in plant, since they have a square base and as they gain height, the development of its base becomes circumferences, decreasing its diameter as they gain in height.
The bell towers, a tribute to the apostles at Sagrada Família
Bell towers have had a special importance in cathedrals and in all the churches built all over the world. And the Sagrada Familia could not be less. Large cathedrals usually have a bell tower, even two if they are more important. So why put so many bell towers on the Sagrada Familia?
And the explanation is that Gaudí wanted to make a very special tribute to the apostles in the Sagrada Familia. apostles in the Sagrada FamiliaTherefore, there are 12 existing bell towers. These are growing in height, the lowest being those of the Nativity façade, continuing in height by those of the Passion, to finish with those that are located on the façade of the Glory and that at the present time are still under construction.
If you are versed in the Holy Scriptures, you will have noticed that two of the apostles later became evangelists, John and Matthew, and each of them has his own central tower. In addition, there was also a traitor disciple, Judas, which Gaudí decided to dispense with, so that had to find 3 relevant characters in order to reach the twelve. And the three he found were Matthias, Barnabas and Paul the apostle.
According to all this, Gaudí dedicates one of the bell towers to each of them and according to their relevance, signifying their importance in terms of the height of the towers of the Sagrada Familia. height of the towers of the Sagrada Familia.. In each of them there will be a sculpture dedicated to the corresponding apostle and all of them will be open to visitors.
Central towers or crest towers
The 6 central towers or cimborriums are dedicated to the four evangelists and to the Virgin Mary and Jesus.. A dome is an architectural element whose purpose is twofold; on the one hand it gives height to the central space and on the other hand, it facilitates the entry of zenithal light into the temple, from the windows provided for this purpose.
Accordingly, the towers of the towers of the Sagrada Familia The central towers are arranged in such a way that each of the towers of the evangelists is located at a vertex of the square that forms the central transept of the temple, rising up to 135 m in height once they are completed. They cannot be climbed in their entirety, but they are intended as part of the route to climb the tower of Jesus.
Located above the apse and with a programmed height of 138 m the second tallest tower, the one dedicated to the Virgin Mary, will be completed.. It will have 19 levels and will be completely empty inside. It will be in charge of giving light to the altar and will lead it to the presbytery. On its façade, parabolic elements built in stone can be observed, with corner edges executed in blue granite, symbolizing the Virgin’s mantle.
And as a colophon to the whole set, the central tower dedicated to Jesuswill be in charge of rising over the sky of Barcelona at a height of 172.5 meters. It will be fully visitable and will be accessible from each of the bridges that will be connected to each of the towers of the evangelists. Hyperboloid in shape, it will have stairs and a mechanical elevator to take visitors as close as possible to the Creator.
The towers of the Sagrada Familia represent the whole essence of the temple, and as such, are dedicated to the most important characters in the life of Jesus. With this, Gaudí enhances all the importance of his characters and establishes it according to the height reached by each one of them. And, in addition, they will be responsible for giving Barcelona the honor of having the tallest church in the world and being able to enjoy the sounds of its bells throughout the city.
