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Barcelona's unfinished basilica hits new heights despite delays
The Sagrada Familia nears 80% completion with its central Tower of Jesus set to inaugurate June 10, but local opposition to the Glory Façade stairs risks delays.
This year, the Tower of Jesus is drawing near completion and will be finished in weeks, with workers preparing a stone slab that a huge yellow crane will lift to the 172.5m summit.
Residents oppose the plan, with Mr Barroso said 'What this is really about is business' as the staircase would require demolishing up to two blocks of homes.
Tourists and takings underpin the work, with 4.8 million visitors in 2024 helping generate $160 million, of which 52% supports construction, relying on three cranes including a Liebherr model.
Barcelona's town hall will mediate, with Collboni saying the board should pay relocation costs if residents must be moved, while the board resists setting a new finish date, estimating at least another decade of work.
Since last November the basilica has held the title of world's tallest church, drawing about 18 million tourists yearly outside and 4.8 million visitors inside in 2024.
Barcelona's never-ending Sagrada Familia has become the tallest building in the world, but a conflict with residents threatens to delay the completion date of the monument designed more than 140 years ago.