The Sagrada Familia prepares to become the tallest building in Barcelona in 2026

The tower of Jesus Christ will reach 172.5 metres in 2026. A 17-metre cross will crown the church. The Sagrada Familia will surpass the church in Ulm. The church will never exceed the height of Montjuïc. Discover how work is progressing on Gaudí’s most iconic building.

The Sagrada Familia is about to mark a new milestone in Barcelona’s history. In 2026, the tower of Jesus Christ will reach its maximum height, crowned by a three-dimensional, 17-metre cross. With this advance, the church will become the tallest building in the city and the tallest church in the world, surpassing Ulm Cathedral in Germany.

Construction of the tower is currently ongoing. The official inauguration is scheduled for this coming 10 June, accompanied by a blessing and a solemn Mass. Meanwhile, Barcelona residents can already watch the silhouette of the Sagrada Familia change day by day, particularly with the arrival of the enormous panels of the cross along Carrer de Mallorca.

Once at the basilica, the pieces of the cross are stored on the roofs at a height of 54 metres. The glass is installed there and the finishing touches are made before the pieces are put in their final positions. At present, the cross already has its core and three arms installed; only the fourth horizontal arm and the upper vertical arm remain.

The cladding of the arms, made of white glazed ceramic and glass, stands out for its luminosity and durability. Once these elements are complete, the Sagrada Familia will reach 172.5 metres, dominating Barcelona’s urban skyline.

Since the first piece of the cross was put in place, Gaudí’s church has already surpassed the height of the church in Ulm, which measures 162 metres. However, the Sagrada Familia will never exceed Montjuïc mountain, which rises 177.72 metres above sea level. This was the wish of Antoni Gaudí, who designed the church so that no human work would surpass nature’s creation.