In brief
The Sagrada Família in Barcelona has claimed the title of the tallest church worldwide, reaching a height of 162.91 meters. This milestone was achieved with the placement of a part of the cross atop its central tower. Originally begun in 1882, the basilica is designed by Antoni Gaudí and is expected to be completed by 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí's death.
The Sagrada Família has become the tallest church in the world, after workers placed the first part of a cross at the top of its central tower.
Now measuring 162.91 metres tall, the Spanish basilica has officially pipped the record from the Ulm Minster in Germany, which has held the crown since 1890.
Designed by acclaimed architect Antoni Gaudí, the place of worship has been under construction in the centre of Barcelona for more than a century, with the main building due to be completed next year.
The central Tower of Jesus Christ will grow with the addition of the rest of the cross over the next few months, eventually standing at 172 metres tall.
The first stone of the Sagrada Família was placed in 1882, with up-and-coming architect Gaudí taking over the project the following year. He transformed the original designs for the basilica into a far more ambitious proposal, which was initially funded by donations from repentant worshippers.
At the time of his unexpected death in 1926, just one of the planned 18 towers had been built.
In the years following, the construction of the architectural marvel was managed by the Sagrada Família foundation, and funded by contributions from tourists, visitors and private donors.
Throughout its almost 150-year construction, the basilica has faced numerous obstacles. During the Spanish Civil War, Catalan anarchists set fire to the crypt, destroying Gaudí's plans and plaster models that would guide future construction.
Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic caused delays, with construction halted due to lack of tourism and funding.
In September, Sagrada Família General Director Xavier Martínez stated that the Tower of Jesus Christ would be completed in 2026 to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death.
Events will be held to honor the architect, who remains buried in the church's crypt. Work on decorative elements, sculptures, and the main entrance stairway is expected to continue into the next decade.
