The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona has received the title of the highest church in the world after construction work on Thursday.
After a crane installed the first part of the tower on top of the nave of the Sagrada Familia on Thursday morning, its height is 162.91 meters – more than a meter taller than the Ulm Cathedral in Germany (161.53 meters), which had previously been considered the highest church in the world.
It is expected that after the construction work is completed in the coming months, the Sagrada Familia will reach a height of 172 meters.
This iconic structure has been under construction since 1882 based on the design of the famous architect Antoni Gaudí. At the time of Gaudí's death, only one of the many towers of the church had been completed, and the entire structure is expected to be finished by the 2030s.
In recent decades, work has accelerated as the basilica has become an important tourist attraction in Barcelona, drawing people from all over the world.
In 2024, the Sagrada Familia was visited by 4.9 million people. The proceeds from entrance tickets are used to fund the ongoing construction.
