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Discover the historic stage that took the basilica of Barcelona to the highest point envisioned by Antoni Gaudí, more than 140 years after the start of construction.
One of the most well-known religious monuments on the planet reached a historic stage in 2026. The Sagrada Familia reached 172.5 meters in height after the installation of the final component of the cross on the tower of Jesus Christ.
According to the Sagrada Familia Construction Board, the placement occurred on February 20, 2026. With this, the central structure reached the maximum point defined in the architectural project.
The new milestone also established the basilica of Barcelona as the tallest church in the world. The construction surpassed the Ulmer Münster, located in Germany, which stands at 161.53 meters.
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The external completion of the central tower represents the greatest advancement of the work envisioned by Antoni Gaudí. However, the monument will still receive internal works and interventions in other areas.
Discover the tower of Jesus Christ
The tower of Jesus Christ occupies the center of the architectural ensemble and has become the tallest element of the Sagrada Familia.
The structure was planned by Gaudí to reach 172.5 meters. Thus, it would remain below the Montjuïc mountain, one of the highest natural points in Barcelona.
On October 30, 2025, the installation of a new section raised the basilica to 162.91 meters. At that moment, the construction had already surpassed the former German record holder.
Subsequently, the assembly of the upper arm of the cross completed the definitive height of the tower. The element has four arms and combines pieces of vitrified ceramic and glass.
Additionally, the cross was designed to receive lighting. Thus, the component can be viewed from different points in the city, especially at night.
The tower was inaugurated and blessed on June 10, 2026. The date marked exactly the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death, which occurred on June 10, 1926.
The ceremony gathered religious representatives, political authorities, and members of the Spanish royal family.
How the Sagrada Familia reached 172.5 meters
The construction of the Sagrada Família began on March 19, 1882, when the temple’s cornerstone was laid.
Initially, the project was under the responsibility of architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. After his departure, Antoni Gaudí took over the work in 1883.
From then on, Gaudí profoundly reworked the original proposal. The architect developed a monumental temple composed of 18 towers, with different heights and religious meanings.
The professional dedicated approximately 42 years to the construction. In the last years of his life, he even concentrated almost all his work on the development of the basilica.
The recent stages combined traditional construction techniques with digital tools. Additionally, computer-controlled equipment was used to cut stone components with high precision.
The blocks were prepared in advance and later assembled into the central structure. In this way, the engineers were able to speed up the installation of the large sections of the tower.
Conclusion of the tower does not represent the end of the entire work
Although it has reached its final height, the Sagrada Família is not yet fully completed.
The internal works of the Jesus Christ tower will continue, as well as interventions on facades and other elements of the architectural ensemble.
The basilica was also not consecrated for the first time in 2026. The temple had been consecrated on November 7, 2010, during a ceremony celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.
Therefore, the event in 2026 corresponds to the external completion, the inauguration, and the blessing of the central tower.
Even so, the milestone placed Gaudí’s greatest work in a new phase. After more than 140 years of construction, the Sagrada Família finally reached the highest point envisioned by the Catalan architect.
