After more than 140 years of work, the famous Sagrada Família has reached a historic milestone. On February 20, workers placed the final upper arm of a large cross on top of the Tower of Jesus Christ. With this addition, the church now stands 566 feet tall, making it the tallest church in the world.
The new height means it has surpassed Ulm Minster in Germany, which previously held the record. However, even though this major step is complete, construction on the basilica is still not fully finished.
Building of the Sagrada Família first began in 1882. The church was designed by famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, who mixed Gothic and modern styles in a unique way. No other church in the world looks like it. Gaudí worked on the project for over 40 years and spent the last 15 years of his life fully dedicated to it. When he died in 1926, less than one quarter of the church had been built.
The newly completed cross is made from glass, ceramic tiles, and stone from the Catalonia region of Spain. Some parts were built by skilled workers in Germany. The pieces were then transported to Barcelona and carefully lifted into place by cranes. The cross is large enough to include a spiral staircase inside. It is designed to shine both day and night, following Gaudí’s original vision.
Construction faced many challenges over the years. During the Spanish Civil War in 1936, parts of the church and some of Gaudí’s original plans were destroyed. Since then, experts have used saved drawings, ideas, and modern computer technology to continue the work.
Today, the Sagrada Família stands as a symbol of faith, art, and dedication across generations.