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The Sagrada Família has officially become the tallest church in the world, following the installation of the first segment of a cross atop its central tower. Now reaching a height of 162.91 meters, the Spanish Basilica has surpassed the Ulm Minster in Germany, which held the title since 1890.
Designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, this place of worship has been under construction in Barcelona’s heart for over a century, with the main structure expected to be finished next year.
The Tower of Jesus Christ will increase in height with the addition of the remaining portion of the cross in the coming months, ultimately reaching 172 meters tall.
The first stone of the Sagrada Família was laid in 1882, and the emerging architect Gaudí took charge of the project the following year.
He adapted the original plans for the basilica into a much more ambitious design, initially funded by donations from remorseful worshippers.
At the time of his untimely death in 1926, only one of the planned 18 towers had been completed.
In the years that followed, the Sagrada Família foundation oversaw the construction of this architectural wonder, funded by contributions from tourists, visitors, and private benefactors.
In addition to the loss of its main architect, the basilica has encountered several obstacles throughout its nearly 150-year construction journey.
During the Spanish Civil War, Catalan anarchists set fire to the crypt, destroying plans and plaster models that Gaudí had created for guiding future construction.
Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a halt in construction, with foundation members attributing the delay to a decrease in tourism and subsequent funding for the project.
