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Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia reaches its maximum height after more than a century
The 172.5-meter tower is the tallest church spire worldwide and was prioritized for June centenary events marking 100 years since architect Gaudí's death, funded by tourism.
- 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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91 Articles
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.
In Barcelona, the world famous Basilica of Sagrada Família has reached its final height.
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 …
It has been 144 years since the start of construction of Antoni Gaudí's life's work and it is estimated that it will take another ten years.
Builders completed the largest tower of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica on Friday, putting on the final section and reaching a height of 172.5 meters, making it the tallest church in the world.
Gaudí's most famous building, Barcelona's main tourist attraction, has been under construction for 144 years, but it is still not finished.
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