After more than a century of construction, Gaudí’s masterpiece is finally reaching for the heavens.
Barcelona’s most famous landmark is about to hit a major milestone. The central tower of the Sagrada Família, dedicated to Jesus Christ, is nearly complete, and later this month a 55-foot fluted steel cross will be placed at its very top. When it does, the basilica will officially become Barcelona’s tallest building and the tallest church in the world.
The legendary architect always insisted the church should remain slightly shorter than Montjuïc, Barcelona’s sacred hill, so the final height respects his vision.
Construction began in 1882 when the surrounding area was still farmland. Gaudí took over the project a year later and spent 43 years imagining twisting columns, stained-glass skylines, and façades that look pulled from a dream.
At the time of his death in 1926, tragically struck by a tram, less than 20% of the basilica had been completed. Wars, politics, and funding setbacks turned the Sagrada Família into the ultimate slow burn; in fact, locals still joke that anything taking too long is “lasting longer than building the Sagrada Família.”
Today, chief architect Jordi Faulí leads the work, and modern innovations such as 3D modeling and laser-cut stone have accelerated progress dramatically. When the basilica is complete, it will feature 18 towers: 12 for the apostles, four for the evangelists, one for the Virgin Mary, and the tallest for Jesus Christ.
The installation of the new cross is not only a symbolic moment, it marks the beginning of the countdown to The Year of Gaudí 2026, the centenary of the architect’s death.
In 2026, Barcelona and the wider region will honour Gaudí’s artistic, cultural, and spiritual legacy with exhibitions, architectural programs, and a citywide celebration of his unparalleled influence. It is also the year many hope to see the Sagrada Família in its nearly completed form, with only the monumental Glory Façade still remaining—a story of humanity from Creation to the Last Judgment that will be worth the wait.
For Barcelona, the Sagrada Família is more than a church. It is a symbol of patience, ambition, and frankly stubbornness. And soon, after decades of waiting, we will all get to see Gaudí’s wildest dream come closer to reality.
