• World’s tallest church is practically complete after 144 years under construction Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Email Almost a century and a half after construction began on La Sagrada Familia, the exterior structure of the tallest church in the world was finally completed last Friday in Barcelona, Spain. • The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, as it’s officially named and the only way I refer to it in casual conversation, has now had its tallest tower, the tower of Jesus Christ, reach its maximum height. • It’s been topped with the upper arm of a three-dimensional four-armed cross that’s clad in glass and white enameled ceramic. • Last week saw the upper arm of this roughly 56-ft (17-m) tall cross fitted with the help of a giant crane. • That final piece, which is nearly 15 ft (4.5 m) tall, completes the grouping of the six central towers of the church - and brings the basilica’s height to a dizzying 566 ft (172.5 m). • Interestingly, the cross was built in Germany using white enameled ceramic tiles, stone interior and glass that were made in the Spanish region of Catalonia.

Article Summaries:

  • The exterior of Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia, the world’s tallest church, was officially completed last Friday after 144 years of construction. The tower of Jesus Christ now reaches its maximum height of 172.5 m (566 ft), capped by a 17‑m glass and white‑enameled ceramic cross. The cross, built in Germany and assembled in Barcelona, features a spiral staircase and light‑through windows, fulfilling Antoni Gaudí’s vision. While the façade is finished, interior work-including decorative elements, cross cladding, and the upcoming Agnus Dei sculpture-remains, with completion targeted for 2034. The milestone coincides with the centenary of Gaudí’s death, prompting commemorative events to boost final funding.
  • Almost 144 years after construction began, the exterior of Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia has been finished. The tallest tower-Jesus Christ’s tower-was topped on Friday with a 56‑ft (17‑m) glass‑clad cross, bringing the basilica’s height to 566 ft (172.5 m). The cross, built in Germany and assembled in Barcelona, is designed to shine day and night and contains a spiral staircase. Although the façade is complete, work on interior decoration, cladding, and sculptures, including a new Agnus Dei, will continue for about eight years. The milestone coincides with the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death, and the site hopes to rally support for final completion by 2034.

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