Sagrada Família illuminates evangelist towers for first time in 140 years

On Sunday, November 12, 2023, the Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona illuminated its four evangelist towers for the first time in the monument's 140-year history. The event, led by Archbishop of Barcelona Juan José Omella, marked the completion of two towers dedicated to Saints Matthew and John, which were finished in September but officially presented now. Standing 135 meters tall, these towers are adorned with white sculptures by Spanish artist Xavier Medina-Campeny: a bust of an angel and the profile of an eagle, symbols of the two evangelists. The remaining two towers, dedicated to Luke and Mark, were completed in 2022. The illumination brings the unfinished masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí closer to completion, with only the central tower of Jesus Christ remaining, expected to be inaugurated in three years. The Sagrada Família, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Spain's most popular tourist attractions, has faced a long and troubled history of construction interruptions and funding shortages.