Two of Europe’s best-known churches are in full construction mode, and both say they are on schedule to meet deadlines that have been promised for completion of the work.
Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica says it will keep its promise to complete the last bits of work in time for the 100th anniversary in 2026 of the death of its primary creator, Antoni Gaudi.
In Paris, meanwhile, the new spire for the fire-ravaged Notre Dame is largely in place and topped with a new golden rooster and officials say it will meet its deadline for partial opening by December.
Sagrada Familia’s once-familiar appearance has changed dramatically with the construction of many additional towers, each representing a major Catholic religious figure. The remaining work includes completion of the last and tallest tower, dedicated to Jesus and the Chapel of the Assumption.
In Paris, the scaffolding has been removed from the new spire that replaces the 19th century one destroyed by the April 15, 2019 fire.
The rooster, a symbol of Paris, replaces one that was damaged in the fire. The new rooster is part rooster and part phoenix, symbol of rising from the ashes. It contains relics from the Crown of Thorns, and of Saints Denis and Genevieve, the local patron saints.
