Summary
The final section of the central tower at Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia has been officially installed in Barcelona
A 17-meter-high steel and glass cross was winched into position to complete the towering structure dedicated to Jesus Christ
The architectural milestone brings the project to its maximum height and cements its status as the tallest church in the world
144 years after construction first began, the final piece of the central tower at Antoni Gaudí‘s iconic Sagrada Familia has officially been laid in place in Barcelona.
Marking a historic milestone for one of architectural history’s most notoriously unfinished buildings, the upper section of a 17-meter-high, four-sided steel and glass cross was recently winched into position. The precise installation officially completes the central tower dedicated to Jesus Christ, bringing the magnificent structure to its absolute maximum height of 172.5 meters. With this newly reached elevation, the Sagrada Familia officially surpasses Germany’s Ulm Minster to become the tallest church in the world.
The installation confirms the project’s highly anticipated final stage of construction for the main building, which is slated for full completion in 2026 to commemorate the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death. While the core structure is finally nearing its long-awaited conclusion, work on the intricate Glory Façade is projected to continue for another decade. The historic achievement seamlessly coincides with Barcelona currently serving as the UNESCO World Capital of Architecture for 2026.
An official ceremony to mark the completion of the central tower is scheduled to take place on June 10 in Barcelona.