Gaudí's Sagrada Familia nears completion of key structure; new biography offers fresh perspective

The central structure of Antoni Gaudí's iconic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is set to be completed, marking a significant milestone 144 years after construction first began.

The 'Tower of Jesus Christ,' the cathedral's main spire, will be inaugurated with an official ceremony and blessing on June 10, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death. Although Gaudí tragically died in a traffic accident in 1926, never witnessing the completion of the basilica he dedicated his life to, his architectural vision continues to be realized by subsequent generations.

Coinciding with this milestone, "Antoni Gaudí, Life and Work," a new biography by Armand Puig i Tàpies, has been published. Puig, a Catholic priest and biblical scholar, meticulously reconstructed Gaudí's life based on extensive research and on-site studies, fulfilling an official request from the church. The book aims to provide a holistic understanding of Gaudí's work, connecting his designs to nature, faith, and Catalan culture.

Distinguishing itself from previous biographies, Puig's work reframes Gaudí not as a mere eccentric, but as an architect whose creative process was profoundly shaped by his Catholic faith and spirituality. To comprehend Gaudí, who expressed himself primarily through his architecture rather than extensive writing, Puig divides his life into three distinct periods. The biography explores Gaudí's early years, where his sensitivity was nurtured by nature and faith, his growth as a young architect in Barcelona, his mid-life crises and transformations, and his later years dedicated to the Sagrada Familia, immersing himself in faith and symbolism.