The famous basilica Sagrada Família has reached its highest point in construction after more than 140 years. On 20 February 2026, workers placed the final piece of a large cross on top of the Tower of Jesus Christ, completing the basilica’s full planned height of 172.5 meters (566 feet).
A crane lifted the upper arm of the cross into place, completing the tallest part of the building. The cross itself is designed with four arms, allowing it to be seen clearly from all directions, in accordance with Antoni Gaudí’s original plan.
Although the basilica has reached its maximum height, the structure is still not finished. Inside the new tower and around other parts of the building, work continues. Most of the scaffolding around the central tower is expected to be removed in time for celebrations planned later this year.
Reaching this point is a major step for the project. The Sagrada Família became the world’s tallest church before this final cross was added, passing the long-standing record held by Ulm Minster in southern Germany.
Work on the basilica began in 1882. Gaudí took over the design soon after, transforming it into an extraordinary mix of Gothic and modern styles. When he died in 1926, less than a quarter of the building was finished.
Over the decades, progress was slowed by political unrest, the Spanish Civil War, and funding challenges. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays when tourism stopped, cutting off a major source of income for the project. Despite these setbacks, construction continued, supported largely by ticket sales and private donations.
The completion of the central tower comes as the city prepares to mark 100 years since Gaudí’s death in June, and the tower’s inauguration is scheduled to take place around that anniversary.
Although the basilica has reached its maximum height, the full completion of the building will still take several more years. Work remains on parts of the façade and other artistic features. Even so, this moment marks one of the most significant steps forward in a project that has spanned nearly a century and a half.
