Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia basilica has reached its final height after more than a century of construction. On Friday, February 20, 2026, workers placed the final piece of a 17-meter-high white cross atop the church's central Tower of Jesus Christ, bringing the structure to its planned maximum height of 172.5 meters.
The milestone marks a significant step toward completion of Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece, which began construction in 1882. Head architect Jordi Fauli told reporters, 'Today was a day we had been eagerly awaiting. Everything has gone well, very well.'
Today was a day we had been eagerly awaiting. Everything has gone well, very well.
Despite reaching its maximum height, the church is not yet complete. Construction is expected to continue for approximately ten more years, with the interior of the Tower of Jesus Christ still under construction. The scaffolding surrounding the tower is scheduled to be removed in time for an inauguration ceremony in June 2026, which will coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death.
The Sagrada Familia became the world's tallest church in October 2025 when another part of its central tower was lifted into place, surpassing Germany's Ulm Minster. The basilica attracts millions of visitors annually, with approximately 4.8 million tickets sold in 2024. Entrance fees continue to fund the ongoing construction of the UNESCO World Heritage site.