Sagrada Família Crowns 566-Foot Jesus Tower, Becoming World's Tallest Church
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jun 7
Sagrada Família Crowns 566-Foot Jesus Tower, Becoming World's Tallest Church
2 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jun 7
Summary
A cross placed atop the Sagrada Família's Jesus tower in February lifted the Barcelona basilica to 566 feet, making it the world's tallest church and capping more than a decade of work.
The new height fulfills Antoni Gaudí's original vision while still staying below Montjuïc hill; architects said the design reflects his wish not to surpass nature.
Construction has stretched since 1883 and remained unfinished after Gaudí died in 1926, when only 10% to 15% of the church was complete and many of his models were later destroyed in the Spanish Civil War.
Nearly 5 million visitors generated more than $150 million last year, funding work now accelerated by software and modular building even as overtourism protests and design criticism persist.
Major work remains, including a staircase that could require demolishing nearby homes and businesses, and chief architect Jordi Faulí said completion could still be 10, 15 or 20 years away.
Now the world's tallest church, has the Sagrada Família become more of a tourist icon than a sacred space?
As modern tech finishes Gaudí's masterpiece, how much of the final church is his vision versus a 21st-century interpretation?
A century after Gaudí's death, will his final vision require displacing hundreds of Barcelona residents to be fully realized?
Sagrada Família Surpasses Ulm Minster: The Making of the World’s Tallest Church and the Challenges Ahead
Overview
On June 10, 2026, Barcelona’s Sagrada Família will officially become the world’s tallest church with the completion of its central Tower of Jesus Christ. This milestone is the result of years of dedicated construction and study of Antoni Gaudí’s legacy. The completion ceremony, held on the centenary of Gaudí’s death, transforms the event into a powerful tribute to the visionary architect. Gaudí’s unique aesthetic, blending Catholic symbolism with organic forms, continues to inspire. Chief Architect Jordi Faulí emphasizes that this achievement is not just an end, but a commitment to the future of the basilica and the city.