On October 31, 2025, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona became the world’s tallest church, reaching 162.91 meters with the addition of its main tower. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, this unfinished basilica continues to inspire faith and creativity as it nears completion in 2026, a century after Gaudí’s passing.
On October 31, 2025, Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Família became the tallest church in the world. A new section of its main tower was added, bringing the height to 162.91 meters, just enough to surpass Germany’s Ulm Minster, which stands at 161.53 meters. When finished in 2026, the tower is planned to reach 172 meters.
Credit: Emilio Morenatti/AP Photo
Designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Família has been under construction for more than a century in the heart of Barcelona. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and a symbol of Gaudí’s unique architectural style. The church’s central Tower of Jesus Christ, which will be the tallest part of the basilica, is still being built and will continue to rise as the remaining sections of the cross are placed on top in the coming months. When completed, this tower will stand as the highest church tower in the world, representing both faith and human creativity.
The project began in 1882, and Gaudí took charge a year later. He turned the original, simple design into a far more creative and spiritual vision. The early construction was funded mostly by donations from worshippers. By the time Gaudí died unexpectedly in 1926, only one of the planned 18 towers had been completed.
Since then, the Sagrada Família Foundation has continued the construction with support from visitors, tourists, and private donors from all around the world. Over its long 140 years journey, the basilica has gone through many difficult times but has always found a way to move forward. During the Spanish Civil War, parts of the church were burned by anarchists, and many of Antoni Gaudí’s original plans, drawings, and models were destroyed. Despite this great loss, his followers worked hard to rebuild his vision based on the few pieces that survived.
In more recent years, the Covid-19 pandemic also caused serious delays. Because tourism stopped for a while, there was much less funding, and the construction had to slow down. According to Xavier Martínez, the general director of the Sagrada Família project, the Tower of Jesus Christ is expected to be completed in 2026, which will mark 100 years since Gaudí’s death. The foundation is planning special events to celebrate his life and honor his contribution to architecture. His tomb, located in the church’s crypt, continues to attract thousands of visitors each year who come to pay their respects.
Even after the central tower is finished, the work on the basilica will not end. Artists and craftsmen will keep working for several more years on the church’s decorative details, sculptures, stained glass windows, and the grand staircase that will lead to its main entrance. The dream of Gaudí still inspires everyone involved, keeping the spirit of his masterpiece alive for future generations.
Elif Ayse Sen is a senior architecture writer at illustrarch. A trained architect with a B.Arch from Altınbaş University, she covers interior design, architecture schools and education, and residential design, and has written hundreds of articles for the publication.
Elif Ayse Sen3 November 20252 Mins read192
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