Sagrada Familia to host Mass in 2010

It’s sometimes hard to remember why the Sagrada Familia came into existence, being as it has for nearly 130 years an immense construction site and monument to Antoni Gaudí. However, the reason for continuing construction is simple; to complete Gaudí’s project to build a church.

There have been numerous problems for Sagrada Familia along the way, including the death of Gaudí under a tram in 1926 and the destruction of his plans by anarchists during the Spanish Civil War. However, the current architect, Jordi Bonet I Armengol, who has worked on the project for the past 40 years announced that the apse roof will be finished by next summer allowing the first ever Mass to take place.

There have been many critics of the plan to continue with Sagrada Familia, including those who believe the building should be left as Gaudí left it and concerns about the use of modern building materials instead of traditional stone. However, the biggest concern recently has been the proposed route of the high speed train, which will pass close to the church – the plans for tunnelling now include ensuring that the ground beneath Sagrada Familia is supported so that there is no danger of any damage to be caused due to subsidence.

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