The skyline of the Catalan capital is enriched with a historical record: the Sagrada Familia has won the title of tallest church in the world, snatching it from the cathedral of Ulm, in Germany, after 134 years. Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece now reaches 162.91 metres, surpassing the 161.53 meters of its German rival thanks to the positioning of a new section of the central tower.
The milestone represents a fundamental stage for a project that has spanned over a century of history. Construction began in 1882 as a modest neo-Gothic church, then the following year Gaudí took the reins of the project and transformed it into a masterpiece of Catalan modernism. At his death in 1926, only one of the 18 planned towers was completed.
A centuries-old construction site between obstacles and rebirths
The path to the basilica was full of difficulties. During the Spanish Civil War, anarchists burned down the architect’s workshop, destroying blueprints and plaster models. The reconstruction of the original vision required decades of painstaking work. Nearly a century after that tragedy, cranes still dominate the landscape, but completion is nearing.
The 21st century has also brought unexpected obstacles. In 2020, the pandemic blocked work due to the collapse of tourism, the main source of financing. Paying visitors represent the only revenue for the project: in 2024, almost 4.9 million people passed through the basilica’s doors, with 15% coming from the United States.
The future of the tower of Jesus Christ
The current record is only the appetizer, given that the Tower of Jesus Christ, once completed with the summit cross, will rise up to 172 meters, consolidating the world record. The Sagrada Familia Foundation has set the completion of the works on the central tower for 2026, the year which will mark the centenary of Gaudí’s death.
