The Basilica of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona has become this Thursday the tallest church in the world after the placement of the first element of the cross that will crown the tower of Jesus Christ, the central tower of the temple.
With this milestone, the work of Antoni Gaudí reaches 162.91 meters in height, surpassing by 1.38 meters the Cathedral of Ulm (Germany), which with its 161.53 meters held the record to date.
The installation of this piece marks the beginning of the final phase of construction of the tower of Jesus Christ, which will reach a final height of 172 meters in the coming months, once the monumental cross is completed.
The piece placed today corresponds to the lower arm of the cross. The structure is 7.25 meters high and weighs 24 tons. According to the basilica, the arm arrived last July divided into four panels and was assembled on a work platform at a height of 54 meters before it was finally raised.
The exterior of the piece is covered with white glazed ceramic and glass, materials selected for their luminosity and resistance to atmospheric conditions.
Once completed, the cross crowning the tower will have a total height of 17 meters, equivalent to a five-story building, and a width of 13.5 meters.
When will the Sagrada Família be completed?
The completion of the tower of Jesus Christ coincides with the preparation of the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death, which will be celebrated in 2026 with various commemorative events.
Construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882 and is financed mainly through income from tourist admissions. Last year, 4.9 million people visited the temple. Although the central tower is nearing completion, work on the facades and interior decoration is expected to continue for about a decade.