Source: The Times (UK)

By Thomas Catan in Madrid

It has taken 125 years to build so far, surviving the loss of the plans, a chronic lack of funds and the death of its creator, flattened by a passing tram.

But Barcelona's world-famous cathedral, the Sagrada Familia, could be facing its toughest challenge yet: the construction of a tunnel for high-speed trains next to its foundations. "We are extremely concerned about the tunnel passing so close," said Jordi Bonet, the cathedral's director, explaining that a protective wall would be built just 75cm (30in) from the foundations.

Mr Bonet, the chief architect who has spent 22 years trying to finish Antoni Gaudi's surreal masterpiece, says the planned excavations "could prove fatal" for the landmark and cause "irreversible damage".

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Posted by pichu at April 7, 2007 9:26 PM