Sagrada Família Reaches Full Height With Completion of Central Tower

Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona’s Sagrada Família has reached its highest architectural point after more than 140 years of construction, marking a defining milestone in one of the world’s most enduring building projects.

On 20 February 2026, the final piece of a monumental cross was placed atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, completing the basilica’s planned height of 172.5 metres (566 feet). A crane lifted the upper arm of the cross into position, finalising the tallest structural element of the church. Designed with four arms to ensure visibility from all directions, the cross reflects Antoni Gaudí’s original vision for the structure’s vertical climax.

Although the basilica has now reached its maximum height, construction is ongoing. Interior works within the newly completed tower and additional elements across the broader complex remain in progress. Most of the scaffolding surrounding the central tower is expected to be removed ahead of commemorative events scheduled later this year.

The achievement reinforces the Sagrada Família’s status as the tallest church in the world, surpassing the long-standing record held by Ulm Minster in Germany even before the final cross was installed.

Construction of the basilica began in 1882, with Gaudí assuming leadership of the project shortly thereafter. He transformed the design into a distinctive synthesis of Gothic tradition and organic modernism. At the time of his death in 1926, less than 25 percent of the structure had been completed.

Over subsequent decades, progress was disrupted by political instability, the Spanish Civil War and financial constraints. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted tourism, significantly affecting funding streams that rely heavily on ticket sales and private donations. Despite these interruptions, work continued, sustained by international support and evolving construction technologies.

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The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ coincides with preparations to mark the centenary of Gaudí’s death in June 2026, with the tower’s formal inauguration expected to align with the anniversary. While key façade elements and artistic details are still under development, the attainment of the basilica’s full planned height represents one of the most consequential moments in the project’s history.

Spanning nearly a century and a half, the Sagrada Família remains both a religious monument and a living architectural work in progress—an enduring testament to Gaudí’s vision and the city of Barcelona’s cultural identity.