The ‘Sagrada Familia’ reaches its final height after 144 years of construction

The city of Barcelona has just experienced one of those moments that seem like something out of a film, but are absolutely real. After 144 years of construction, the final piece of the central tower of the Sagrada Familia is now in place. The top of a 17-metre-high steel and glass cross was carefully raised to crown the tower dedicated to Jesus Christ. With this installation, the temple designed by Antoni Gaudí reaches its maximum height of 172.5 metres and marks a turning point in the history of one of the most fascinating buildings in the world.

The manoeuvre was not a simple technical operation; it had a strong symbolic character. The teams hoisted the cross, with its four arms and light but imposing structure, with millimetre precision until it fitted into place at the top. The gesture completes the vertical profile of the temple and reinforces Gaudí’s original vision. With this final height, the Sagrada Familia surpasses the Ulm Minster church in Germany and becomes the tallest church on the planet. The title comes after more than a century of waiting.

This achievement marks the start of the final stage of construction of the main building. The project is expected to be completed in 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí’s death. Although the central structure is now practically finished, teams will continue to work on the complex Glory Façade for approximately another decade. The temple continues to evolve and maintains its essence as a living work that combines art, faith and architecture.

The timing could not be more appropriate, as Barcelona will be UNESCO’s World Capital of Architecture in 2026. The completion of the central tower represents a technical milestone and also a cultural symbol for the city. After generations of living with cranes on the horizon, the definitive profile of the Sagrada Familia now stands out against the sky with renewed elegance. The work confirms that patience can also become legend.