Sagrada Família Becomes the World’s Tallest Church — and It’s Still Growing
Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Família has officially become the tallest church in the world after workers placed the first piece of a cross on top of its central tower, the Tower of Jesus Christ. Now standing 162.91 metres high, the basilica has overtaken Ulm Minster in Germany, which held the record at 161.53 metres since 1890. A church statement confirmed the milestone, noting that a crane lifted the new section into place on Thursday morning.
Designed by legendary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882. Gaudí, who took over the project the following year, transformed it into an ambitious blend of faith, geometry, and natural forms. When he died in 1926, only one of the 18 planned towers had been finished.
Despite wars, funding struggles, and even a pause on construction during the pandemic, the project has continued for nearly 150 years. Today, the basilica’s ongoing work is largely paid for by ticket sales — more than 4.9 million people visited last year, with about 15% coming from the U.S.
The tower’s final height will be 172 metres, once the rest of the cross is added in the coming months. That means it’s not done growing yet — and when complete, it will redefine Barcelona’s skyline once again. The Sagrada Família Foundation says the Tower of Jesus Christ is expected to be finished in 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí’s death. A series of events is being planned to honour his life and architectural legacy.
Work will then continue on sculptures, decorative facades, and the grand stairway leading to the main entrance. Officials estimate it will take another decade to fully complete Gaudí’s vision. Even unfinished, the Sagrada Família remains a masterpiece — and now, it’s officially reaching closer to the heavens than any other church on Earth.
