In 2010 the Church of the Sagrada Família reaches the final straight of one stage and a new cycle begins.
It is now 127 years since the spiritual association of devotees of Saint Joseph laid the foundation stone of this magnificent dream, which Antoni Gaudí was entrusted to transform into one of the greatest churches in the world. It was however a dream of such magnitude that it would be his successors who would have to continue the construction work. Despite many historical reverses, generation after generation of the people of Catalonia have never failed to demonstrate their desire to persevere with the building and have never ceased to lend it their support.
Now, with the advent of 2010 and in accordance with the 1:10 scale model left by Gaudí, covering of the Church's central nave means the interior will have been concluded. A significant part of this huge project will thus have come to an end, enabling it to be opened for worship and to become a place of prayer and fraternal message.
The 4,500 m2 nave, capable of holding some 8,000 people and more than 1,100 choristers, will offer the possibility of living a unique aesthetic experience, thanks to the original conception of the space, to a singular application of geometry and to the materials, shapes and colours employed.
With the conclusion of this work it may be said that around 60% of the Church has now been built, a percentage that has been reached thanks to the endeavour of all those who have cooperated in the project, from the manual workers to the Construction Committee, the chief architect and all his team. But also and in particular, to the most sincere Friend and to the Church's visitors from around the world. It is to all these people that we owe being able to take this new step in the construction of the Church, this singular example of our culture, and to begin a new stage in the process, open to welcoming all manifestations of religiousness and universal vocation that proclaim faith, peace and justice among men.