BARCELONA, Spain — After more than 140 years of construction, Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia cathedral has achieved its maximum height with workers installing the final piece of a cross on its tallest spire.
Construction crews used a crane to position the upper portion of the cross on the “Tower of Jesus Christ,” bringing the cathedral’s central spire to a height of 566 feet above the Spanish city, church officials announced.
The milestone brings the world-renowned basilica one step closer to completion, cementing its status as the globe’s tallest religious building.
Construction on the massive project began in 1882 under the vision of renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. The architect never anticipated seeing the finished product during his lifetime, and only a single tower had been completed when Gaudí died in 1926 at age 73 after being struck by a streetcar.
Construction has accelerated significantly in recent years as the cathedral became a must-see destination for international visitors drawn to Barcelona specifically to witness Gaudí’s unique architectural style, which blends religious imagery with natural, flowing designs.
While workers continue construction on the interior of the central tower, which remains surrounded by cranes and temporary structures, completing the exterior was prioritized for upcoming June celebrations marking 100 years since Gaudí’s death.
Church officials expect to remove the scaffolding around the central spire by June in preparation for the official dedication of the “Tower of Jesus Christ.”
According to the cathedral’s rector, Rev. Josep Turull, the cross features four arms designed to be visible from every angle, just as Gaudí originally envisioned. The architect’s original design also called for light beams to shine from each arm, creating a spiritual beacon effect, though that addition requires city approval, Turull explained.
Annual visits from millions of tourists provide the primary funding source for ongoing construction through admission fees.
The cathedral plans multiple events this year honoring the Catalan Modernist architect’s contributions, which include several other notable structures throughout Barcelona and Spain.
Last October, the Sagrada Familia officially became the world’s tallest church when it surpassed Germany’s Ulmer Münster, a Gothic Lutheran cathedral that reaches 530 feet and took 347 years to complete starting in 1543.
The rector noted that a prayer verse from the Gloria, commonly recited during Catholic mass services, was inscribed at the base of the cross installed on the central tower.
The inscription reads: “You alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High.”
