23/05/2026
The world's longest-running construction project is almost done. The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona just installed the last piece of its central tower, 144 years after the first stone was laid.
The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona has reached its full height. On February 20, 2026, workers installed the final upper arm of the cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, bringing the basilica to its final height of 172.5 meters, or 566 feet. This makes it the tallest church in the world, surpassing Germany's Ulm Minster.
Construction began in 1882, making this milestone 144 years in the making. Antoni Gaudi took over the project in 1883 and dedicated the rest of his life to it, but when he died in 1926, the church was only about 25 percent complete. Generations of architects, engineers, and craftsmen have carried on his vision since then.
The Tower of Jesus Christ is the tallest of the 18 towers Gaudi designed. It is surrounded by the four towers of the Evangelists and the Tower of the Virgin Mary. The tower has a twelve-sided floor plan, and the cross at its top is 17 meters tall and made of glass and white glazed ceramic.
The official completion ceremony is scheduled for June 10, 2026, exactly 100 years after Gaudi's death. The day will mark the centenary of the architect who never got to see his masterpiece finished. Pope Leo is expected to lead the ceremony.
But here is the catch. The main structure will be finished in 2026, but the basilica will not be completely done. The Glory Facade, the grand entrance facing the southern side of the church, still needs to be built. That project is expected to take another eight to ten years, pushing full completion to around 2034.
There is also controversy. The plan for the Glory Facade includes a massive staircase that would require demolishing two city blocks and displacing about 1,000 residents. Residents have hung protest banners from their balconies reading "Our homes are legal" and have formed associations to fight the demolition. Supporters argue that Gaudi's original design must be honored.
For now, the scaffolding will be removed from the central tower in the coming weeks, and visitors will finally be able to see Gaudi's vision fully realized for the first time in history.
