La Sagrada Familia prepares to crown its tallest tower in 2026

The Sagrada Familia is about to make history. The Tower of Jesus will make it the tallest church in the world. Gaudí's centenary will be celebrated in 2026. Discover the challenges and progress of the work. What will happen to the controversial Glory Façade?

The Sagrada Familia is entering its final stretch towards a historic milestone: the completion of the Tower of Jesus, which will make it the tallest church in the world. The Barcelona temple is preparing to celebrate the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death in 2026, while construction progresses on its most emblematic element.

In December, the two remaining arms of the cross that will crown the Tower of Jesus arrived in Barcelona. In November, the first two arms, made in Germany, had already been installed. In October, the temple reached 167.5 metres, overtaking Ulm Cathedral and becoming the tallest church on the planet. In September, the Sagrada Familia asked the Vatican for the Pope's presence at the commemorative Mass for Gaudí's centenary, scheduled for 10 June 2026.

Only a few months remain before the Tower of Jesus is completed. Once it is finished, the scaffolding will be removed so that the structure can shine in all its splendour during the June celebrations. The tower's finishing piece is impressive: it is 29 metres high, with a 12-metre base and a 17-metre three-dimensional cross. Each piece weighs around 13 tonnes. The framework is made in Germany, the ceramic cladding is produced by the Cumella de Granollers family, and the glass comes from the Barcelona company Cricursa.

The base and two arms of the cross have now been installed, while the other two are awaiting lifting after the Christmas holidays, depending on weather conditions. The team responsible for these tasks numbers more than 130 people. Once finished, the Sagrada Familia will reach 172.5 metres, remaining slightly below Montjuïc mountain, as Gaudí wanted so as not to surpass a work of nature.

The crane in use is colossal, with a 203-metre jib. Its base stands 54 metres high, above the roofs of the central nave. After the Tower of Jesus is completed, the crane will remain in use to connect this tower with the Tower of Mary, the Glory Façade and the central roofs.

Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and, during his lifetime, Gaudí saw only the Tower of Bernabé completed, on the Nativity Façade, whose centenary was celebrated last November. In addition to the Tower of Jesus, work continues on the Chapel of the Assumption, at the corner of Provença y Sardenya.

The controversy surrounding the Glory Façade, the planned main entrance on Mallorca Street, remains unresolved. The Junta Constructora maintains that Gaudí designed a staircase that would entail demolishing residential buildings. A competition has now been called for the façade, while a solution for the staircase is being negotiated with the City Council. The temple acquired former warehouses on Mallorca Street, which would make it easier to build new homes if necessary. The City Council has reiterated that, in the event of expropriations, the cost must be borne by the Sagrada Familia.