‘A joyful day’: final piece of Sagrada Familia’s central tower put in place

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Stephen Burgen in BarcelonaFebruary 20, 2026 at 05:09 PM

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medium article 3 min

The final piece of the Sagrada Familia's central tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ, was placed on Friday in Barcelona, marking a significant milestone 144 years after construction began. The placement of the 17-meter cross brings the basilica to its full height of 172.5 meters, making it Barcelona's tallest building and the world's tallest church. A ceremony is planned for June 10, 2026, on the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death, to celebrate the tower's completion. While the church has been consecrated, the overall construction is expected to conclude in about a decade with the completion of the south-facing facade. Despite mixed opinions over the years, the Sagrada Familia now defines Barcelona's skyline.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

George Orwell 30% New York 30% Paris 30% Vatican 40% Pope Benedict XVI 40% Jesus Christ ×250% Jordi Faulí 60% Antoni Gaudí ×480% Barcelona ×490% Sagrada Familia ×6100%

Keywords

sagrada familia 100% antoni gaudí 80% church construction 70% barcelona 70% central tower 60% architecture 60% tallest church 50% stained glass 40% geometrical designs 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Positive

Score: 0.70

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Source

The Guardian - World News

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90%

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Sagrada Familia

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sagrada familia antoni gaudí church construction barcelona central tower architecture tallest church stained glass geometrical designs

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