Barcelona's Sagrada Família Reaches Peak After 140 Years
After more than a century of construction, Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Família basilica finally reached its maximum height with a 17-meter white cross now crowning the Tower of Jesus Christ. The world's tallest church will celebrate its tower blessing in June, marking 100 years since architect Antoni Gaudí's death.
A 17-meter white cross now stands 172.5 meters above Barcelona, marking a milestone more than 140 years in the making.
The Sagrada Família reached its peak height on Friday when workers placed the gleaming cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, the basilica's central spire. Head architect Jordi Fauli called it a day they had been "eagerly awaiting," and everything went perfectly according to plan.
Antoni Gaudí designed the ambitious church in 1882, knowing he would never see it finished. His vision included 18 towers total, with the Tower of Jesus Christ as the crowning centerpiece. True to his plan, the cross features four arms so it can be recognized from any direction across the city.
The church claimed the title of world's tallest last October, surpassing Germany's Ulm Minster, a Gothic Lutheran church that took over 500 years to build. At 172.5 meters, the Sagrada Família now towers above its predecessor and the Barcelona skyline.
The journey to this height faced countless setbacks. The Spanish Civil War halted progress for years. The COVID-19 pandemic forced another pause. Yet construction continued, funded almost entirely by the nearly 5 million tourists who visit each year.
Scaffolding still surrounds the tower's exterior, but not for long. The church plans to remove it by June for the tower's official blessing on June 10, exactly 100 years after Gaudí's death. Rumors suggest Pope Leo XIV might attend, though the Vatican hasn't confirmed.
The Ripple Effect
Nearly 5 million people visited the Sagrada Família in 2024, and their entrance fees keep the dream alive. This unique funding model means every tourist becomes part of the story, directly supporting one of architecture's greatest achievements. The basilica proves that some visions are worth the wait, inspiring patience and dedication across generations.
The interior work continues, and full completion will take another decade. But today, Gaudí's grandest vision finally touches the sky exactly as he imagined.
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Based on reporting by Euronews
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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