On October 29, a new section was added to the central tower of theSagrada Familia in Barcelona . With this addition, the iconic Spanish landmark became thetallest church in the world , surpassing—albeit by only 1.38 meters—Germany’sUlm Cathedral , which had held the record since 1890 at 161.53 meters.
Today, the Sagrada Familia stands at 162.91 meters. But that’s not all: when the central tower is completed in 2026, with the addition of the remaining section of the cross, the total height will reach 172 meters, setting a record that will be very difficult to beat.
With this new record, theSagrada Familia continues to represent not only the symbolic heart of Barcelona, but also a universal monument to the genius ofAntoni Gaudí : a masterpiece that extraordinary blends sacred art, spiritual symbolism, and forms inspired by nature, resulting in a unique architectural work. The basilica, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered one of the finest examples of Catalan modernist architecture and continues to amaze millions of visitors with its structural complexity and majesty.
A work whose construction began in 1882
Construction of theSagrada Familia began in 1882 under the direction of Antoni Gaudí, who radically modified the original project, transforming it into a much more ambitious work. This is also why construction is still ongoing today. The artist never saw his dream come true, as he died suddenly in 1926, when only one of the 18 towers had been completed. In the decades that followed, work continued under the supervision of the Sagrada Familia Foundation, funded by donations from visitors, tourists, and private sponsors, who still contribute significantly to its completion.
The central tower is scheduled for completion in 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death, while work on the façades and interiors will continue for some time. In recent years, however, work has accelerated significantly, partly because the basilica has become one of the most visited attractions in the world. Around 13,000 people visit the church every day, for a total of approximately 4.7 million visitors annually.
Gaudí himself rests in the basilica’s crypt, and on the centenary of his death, which falls on June 10, 2026, numerous commemorative events will be organized, including exhibitions, concerts, and religious services. By that date, the exterior of the church should finally be completed, crowning a project that took 144 years of uninterrupted work.
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The overall construction cost estimate has not yet been finalized, but it is known that 374 million euros were allocated in 2021 to continue the work and bring the project closer to completion of one of the most extraordinary monuments in the history of modern architecture, an immortal symbol ofBarcelona and human ingenuity.
