After 144 years since the laying of the first stone, the main architectural saga of Europe is nearing its completion.
Recently, the Sagrada Familia, the great work of Antoni Gaudí, reached its maximum design height. The installation of the last element on the central tower of Jesus Christ marked a historic moment, signifying the triumph of engineering thought over time and circumstances. This grand structure is now officially recognized as the tallest religious building in the world, surpassing the Ulm Cathedral in Germany.
The tower of Jesus Christ, crowned with a giant four-pointed cross, rises above the city to a height of one hundred seventy-two and a half meters. This figure was not accidental — Gaudí, who had a deep reverence for divine creation, insisted that the cathedral be one meter shorter than Mount Montjuïc. In his belief, human creations should not exceed what is made by nature. Today, this symbolic gesture of humility has found physical embodiment in stone and glass. The cross, which has become the crown of the cathedral, is made of a special material that reflects sunlight, turning the top of the temple into a shining beacon visible from many kilometers away from the Catalan capital.
The path to this pinnacle has been thorny. Construction, which began in March 1882, survived the Spanish Civil War, during which the original drawings and models of the master were lost, economic crises, and the recent global pandemic. However, in recent decades, the pace of work has significantly accelerated due to the introduction of modern 3D modeling technologies and the use of high-strength concrete, which is delicately faced with traditional stone. Although the main vertical has already taken its place, work inside and on the facades will continue for several more years. Ahead lies the completion of the Glory facade, which promises to be the most monumental element of the cathedral.
For the residents of Barcelona and millions of pilgrims, the Sagrada Familia has long ceased to be just a construction site. It is a living organism that has grown alongside generations of citizens. The completion of the Christ tower is perceived as the fulfillment of an ancient vow. Now that the silhouette of the temple has taken its finished form, the world holds its breath in anticipation — for in 2026, it is planned to officially complete all major works, which symbolically coincides with the centenary of the tragic death of Antoni Gaudí himself.
