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

The 172.5-meter tower, funded by millions of tourists, was topped ahead of the June centenary of architect Gaudí's death, marking a key milestone in the long construction.

  • On Feb 20, 2026, a crane placed the upper arm of a cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, bringing Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to its planned maximum height of 172.5m.
  • Ahead of the centenary in June, scaffolding is scheduled to be removed by June and the tower blessed on June 10, according to head architect Jordi Fauli.
  • Surpassing Ulm Minster, the extra height atop the Jesus Christ tower means Sagrada Familia now exceeds Ulm Minster's 161.53 meters as the world's tallest church at 172.5m.
  • Entrance fees largely fund ongoing construction as the Sagrada Familia sold 4.8 million tickets in 2024, yet full completion is expected in around a decade.
  • Barcelona city government must approve the light-beam plan from the cross's four arms, while town hall mediates residents' opposition to entrance steps amid a housing crisis more than 140 years after Antoni Gaudí designed the monument.
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Lean Left

The last part of the central tournament of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was installed, bringing the church to its final peak at 144 years from the beginning of the work, writes The Guardian. A few days later...

·Romania
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Lean Right

A ceremony marking the completion of the tower, the largest of the 18 that Gaudi envisioned, is scheduled to take place on the centenary of Gaudi's death, June 10.

·Belgrade, Serbia
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Center

In Barcelona, the world famous Basilica of Sagrada Família has reached its final height.

·Germany
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Barcelona, Spain. The Sagrada Familia of Barcelona reached its summit this Friday after completing the cross of its central tower, which crowns 172.5 meters the highest church in the world.A huge yellow crane raised the last piece of the large white cross of 17 meters high, and 13.5 of width, which completes the tower of Jesus Christ, the highest of the 18 projected by Antoni Gaudí more than 140 years ago, taking it up to 172.5 meters. Hundreds …

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El Periódico broke the news in Barcelona, Spain on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
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