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

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.

Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica reached its maximum height of 172.5 meters on Friday, 144 years after construction began in 1882. The placement of the upper arm of a cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, the church's central piece, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing project. Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect, never expected to see the Sagrada Familia completed in his lifetime; only one of its 18 towers was finished when he died in 1926. The Sagrada Familia became the world’s tallest church last year after another part of its central tower was lifted into place. While the basilica has reached its full height, the completion of the entire project is still several years away.