Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia reaches its maximum height after more than a century

Barcelona’s Iconic Sagrada Familia Reaches Maximum Height as Century-Long Construction Continues

Barcelona’s towering Sagrada Familia basilica achieved a historic milestone on Friday as it reached its maximum height of 172.5 meters (566 feet), marking a significant advancement in the completion of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece.

A crane carefully positioned the upper arm of a cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, the basilica’s soaring central component, cementing the structure’s status as the world’s tallest church—a title it claimed last year when it surpassed Germany’s Ulmer Münster Lutheran church, which stands at 161.53 meters (530 feet).

The Sagrada Familia’s journey has been remarkable since its first stone was laid in 1882. Gaudí himself never expected to see the project completed in his lifetime. When he died tragically in 1926 at age 73 after being struck by a tram, only one of the basilica’s multiple towers had been completed.

In recent decades, construction has accelerated significantly as the basilica transformed into one of Europe’s premier tourist attractions. Visitors from around the world are drawn to Gaudí’s revolutionary aesthetic that seamlessly blends Catholic symbolism with organic architectural forms inspired by nature.

The installation of the cross represents more than just an engineering achievement—it aligns with upcoming centenary celebrations of Gaudí’s death this June. While the Tower of Jesus Christ has reached its full height, interior work continues, and visitors hoping to view the cross will need to wait until summer when scaffolding is removed for the tower’s official inauguration.

“As Gaudí had planned, the cross has four arms so its shape can be recognized from any direction,” explained the Sagrada Familia’s rector, Rev. Josep Turull. The original design also includes light beams projecting from each arm of the cross, symbolizing the church’s role as a spiritual lighthouse, though this feature still requires approval from Barcelona’s city government.

The cross installation includes a prayer verse at its base reading: “You alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High,” further emphasizing the basilica’s spiritual significance.

The Sagrada Familia’s continuing construction represents one of architecture’s most extraordinary stories. Unlike most historical cathedrals built over centuries with changing designs, this basilica follows Gaudí’s original vision, adapted with modern construction techniques. The project is primarily funded through entrance fees paid by millions of tourists who visit annually, creating a unique economic model where tourism directly enables the basilica’s completion.

Barcelona plans several events throughout the year to celebrate Gaudí’s legacy, which extends beyond the Sagrada Familia to include other stunning Modernist buildings throughout the city and elsewhere in Spain. These structures have helped define Barcelona’s architectural identity and contributed significantly to the region’s tourism industry.

While the basilica has reached its maximum height, substantial work remains before the entire structure is complete. The current achievement represents a crucial milestone in what has become one of the world’s longest-running architectural projects—a testament to both Gaudí’s visionary design and the dedication of generations of craftspeople and architects who have carried his dream forward.

The Sagrada Familia stands not only as a religious monument but as a symbol of artistic perseverance and cultural heritage that continues to evolve more than a century after its inception.