Barcelona’s Sagrada Família reached its final height of 566 feet in February when the last major structural element a 100-ton cross atop the central Tower of Jesus Christ was installed, making it the world’s tallest church more than 144 years after construction began. Delayed by wars, politics and funding shortfalls, the long‑running project now moves toward a formal inauguration in 2026: on Wednesday Pope Leo XIV will lead Solemn Mass and bless the finished tower, marking exactly 100 years since architect Antoni Gaudí’s death.
The newly completed 18th tower crowns a building celebrated for its vivid color, intricate craftsmanship and daring geometry. Gaudí’s original plans were largely destroyed in the 1930s, and generations of architects have had to interpret his vision while meeting modern engineering standards. The crowning cross as tall as a five‑story building and designed to reflect daylight and glow at night was produced in Germany in 14 prefabricated concrete-and-stainless-steel sections. Stainless steel provided modern strength and helped keep the spire relatively lightweight, balancing Gaudí’s aesthetic with today’s safety requirements.
Workers transported the prefabricated pieces to a workshop built 200 feet above the basilica’s nave, finished them with stone interiors, enameled white ceramic cladding and locally sourced glass windows, then assembled and hoisted the cross into place in a months‑long, precision operation. While finishing touches and non-structural work will continue, the completed tower transforms Barcelona’s skyline and symbolizes the century-long effort to realize Gaudí’s masterpiece.
