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Antoni Gaudi’s now-completed Sagrada Familia Basilica. a jewel in the crown of Barcelona and the Catholic church Photo by LLUIS GENE \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Sagrada Familia Basilica<\/a> in Barcelona, one of the most ambitious architectural projects in modern history, has reached a milestone many believed they would never witness: After 144 years of tortuous challenges to complete its construction, the iconic church designed by Antoni Gaud\u00ed is officially finished.<\/p>\n Like in an ultra-complex puzzle, the last piece of the architectural marvel — a monumental cross weighting about 100 tons installed atop the Tower of Jesus Christ \u2013 is now in place, making the Spanish modernist church the tallest in the world at 172.5 meters, (566 feet) and marking the culmination of one of architecture\u2019s longest-running construction projects.<\/p>\n Positioned above the church\u2019s central nave and standing roughly as tall as a five-story building, the cross was manufactured in Germany and transported in sections to Spain before being assembled on site. <\/p>\n The Tower of Jesus Christ is surrounded by 17 other towers dedicated to the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists and the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n A cross crowns the 172.5-meter (566-foot) Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona Photo\/Emilio Morenatti<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n A 2019 view of The Sagrada Familia before the culmination of the Jesus Tower. Photo by Patrick Gorski<\/p>\n NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n The Tower of Jesus Christ and the 17 surrounding towers Photo by Joan Valls<\/p>\n NurPhoto via Getty ImagesSagrada Familia: An Architectural Wonder<\/p>\n The inauguration, attended by Pope Leo XIV, coincides with the centenary of Antoni Gaud\u00ed\u2019s death. The ceremony on June 10 included a solemn Mass and a papal blessing of the monumental ceramic cross crowning a project that has become one of the world\u2019s most recognizable religious and architectural landmarks.<\/p>\n Unavoidably, the Pope\u2019s blessing of the tower was marked by religious fervor and admiration for the architectural wonder but also under the shadow of popular protests against Barcelona\u2019s overtourism, high rents and a lack of affordable housing. <\/p>\n Barcelona struggles<\/a> every day with the impact of millions of visitors<\/a>. <\/p>\n ForbesVatican City And Other European Micro Countries Top Overtourism ReportBy Cecilia Rodriguez<\/a><\/p>\n Architectonical details of The Sagrada Fam\u00edlia, Barcelona’s most iconic monument, designed by Antoni Gaud\u00ed and begun on March 19, 1882, Photo by Lluis Gene<\/p>\n AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n A view inside the world-famous Sagrada Familia Basilica offering an impressive forest-like atmosphere with its nature-inspired organic design. Photo by Aylin Mercan<\/p>\n Anadolu via Getty ImagesGaud\u00ed Can Rest In Peace<\/p>\n Although several years of decorative and non-structural work remain, the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ represents the basilica\u2019s official completion and the realization of Gaud\u00ed\u2019s original vision. Now its creator can \u2018rest in peace.\u2019<\/p>\n Gaud\u00ed knew he could not complete its masterpiece but, as Beaux Arts magazine wrote, after his death \u201che remained alive, quietly working in the minds of the architects who succeeded him,\u201d generations of designers and craftsmen who continued building the basilica while striving to remain faithful to his ideas.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe we\u2019re pretty close to (his plans for) the exterior, for sure,\u201d Mauricio Cort\u00e9s, the Mexican architect in charge told CNN. \u201cWith the interior, as he didn\u2019t define it in detail, there\u2019s more room for interpretation.\u201d<\/p>\n Interior view of the La Sagrada Familia Roman Catholic church which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/p>\n The interior of the Marian tower of the Sagrada Fam\u00edlia. Photo: Jan-Uwe Ronneburger<\/p>\n dpa\/picture alliance via Getty ImagesA Stone Forest Full Of Color<\/p>\n Inspired by nature, the Sagrada Familia remains unlike any other church in the world. Gaud\u00ed conceived the basilica as a stone forest, with branching columns resembling tree trunks and vaults as organic branches designed to evoke a living canopy. Visitors entering the interior encounter a space intended to feel organic, dynamic and alive.<\/p>\n Throughout the building vibrant ceramics, colorful stained glass, biblical scenes sculpted in stone and mosaic-covered bell towers showcase Gaud\u00ed\u2019s distinctive fusion of faith, geometry and natural forms. The result is an architectural wonder that continues to attract millions of visitor<\/a>s each year.<\/p>\n