Sagrada Familia's Jesus Tower Finishes 100 Years After Gaudí

The Tower of Jesus at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona has been completed, exactly 100 years after the death of its visionary architect, Antoni Gaudí. This significant achievement was documented in its entirety by Japanese broadcaster NHK, the only network granted such access. The project's completion ceremony was attended by the Pope.

Construction on the Sagrada Família began in 1882, with a deep connection to Japan, including the work of sculptor Etsuro Sotoo. NHK executive Masumi Hoshino has followed the basilica for 16 years, capturing its progress and the spirit embedded within. Major milestones like the Nativity Façade completion in 2015 and the Tower of the Virgin Mary in 2023 were also documented.

The completion of the 172.5-meter-high Jesus Tower, initially hoped to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death, was substantially slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoshino described the basilica as a "living being, growing with a will of its own," emphasizing Gaudí's wish for peace.

Hoshino's team employed advanced filming techniques, including ultra-telephoto and compact cameras, along with 360-degree cameras in crane cabins, to vividly convey the construction process. The resulting documentaries will air in Japan, with an international version anticipated for MIPCOM.

NHK's coverage aimed to explore aspects overlooked by those too close to the project, conveying Gaudí's message of peace and hope to a world grappling with conflict. Hoshino expressed a desire to document Angkor Wat next, demonstrating an ongoing passion for capturing great structures.