Barcelona: The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, one of the world’s most celebrated architectural marvels, is on the brink of rewriting history. The Tower of Jesus Christ, the central spire of the basilica designed by legendary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, is set to make the unfinished masterpiece the tallest Catholic Church in the world.
Jordi Faulí, chief architect of the project, confirmed in a statement on Sept. 23 that construction of the tower’s main structure and terminal is complete, with final efforts now concentrated on assembling and raising a monumental cross. “The cross is made up of seven large pieces that are assembled here and will then be lifted with the crane. The intention is to finish the cross in the next few months,” Faulí explained.
Work on the Sagrada Familia began in 1882, and Gaudí, who dedicated much of his life to the project, left behind visionary designs that continue to guide the construction today. The basilica has survived wars, funding shortages, and even the COVID-19 pandemic, yet remains a symbol of perseverance and faith. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it has become both a spiritual landmark and an architectural wonder.
When completed, the Tower of Jesus Christ will stand at more than 172 meters (564 feet), surpassing both the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast (158 meters/518 feet), and Germany’s Ulmer Münster (161 meters/530 feet). This achievement will make the Sagrada Familia not only the tallest Catholic church but the tallest church in the world across denominations.
“This is an important moment in the history of the building of the Sagrada Familia because it will reach its maximum height,” said Xavier Martínez, the basilica’s general director, in a recent interview with the Associated Press. “We are used to seeing skyscrapers like those in the United States rise quickly, but it is remarkable that in the 21st century we are still building a cathedral of this scale.”
The central tower is expected to be completed by late 2025 or early 2026, aligning with the centenary of Gaudí’s death. While the main structure is projected to finish in 2026, additional details such as statues, reliefs, and ornamental features will continue until at least 2034.
Beyond the tower, work will shift to the Chapel of the Assumption, to be built behind the apse. This new addition will feature a striking hyperbolic dome topped with a cross and adorned with sculptures of saints, including Barcelona’s own St. Joseph Oriol and St. Roch, the patron invoked against plagues.
For Gaudí, the Sagrada Familia was not just a cathedral but a prayer in stone. Declared a “Servant of God,” his cause for sainthood is ongoing within the Catholic Church. The Tower of Jesus Christ, which he envisioned as the focal point of the basilica, symbolizes both the heart of his design and a bridge between heaven and earth.
As the massive cross is prepared to take its place high above Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia approaches a moment that will etch its name permanently in history not only as an architectural wonder but as the world’s tallest church, a testimony to faith, artistry, and the enduring vision of Antoni Gaudí.