Barcelona’s Sagrada Família became the tallest church in the world on Thursday after a new section was installed on its central tower. According to the church, the building of the architect Antoni Gaudí now reaches a height of 162.8 meters. The previous holder of the title was the Ulmer Münster Lutheran Church in Germany, whose tower measures just over 161.5 meters. The Sagrada Família is thus approximately one meter higher.
Although the basilica itself does not officially claim the title, the numbers speak volumes. And the height will continue to grow. The central Tower of Jesus Christ, which rises above the basilica, is expected to reach approximately 171.9 meters when completed. The first part of this tower was placed on the nave of the church on Thursday morning using a crane.
The foundation stone of the Sagrada Família was laid in 1882. Gaudí did not expect the construction to be completed during his lifetime, and at the time of his death only one of the towers was finished. In recent decades, the work has been significantly accelerated due to the fact that the building has become an important world tourist attraction. Visitors are captivated by Gaudí’s unique aesthetic, which combines Catholic symbolism and natural forms.
Last year, 4.9 million visitors paid the entrance fee. It is from these revenues that further construction is financed. Work on the facades and interior decoration will continue for several years. According to church officials, the complete completion of the building is expected in approximately 10 years.
