Barcelona’s iconic basilica had part of its central tower installed, reaching a height of 162.9 meters. Until then, the title belonged to Ulm Cathedral in Germany, which is just one meter shorter.
The iconic Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, became this Thursday the tallest church in the worldsurpassing Ulm Cathedral, in Germany, by one meter, after the installation of part of its central tower.
With the new structure, the Sagrada Família now has 162.91 meters high. Ulm Cathedral, a Gothic-style Lutheran church built between 1543 and 1890, held the title until then, measuring 161.5 meters high.
The central tower of the Catalan church should only be completed next year, when it will reach 172 meters in height. The new tower element, manufactured in the southern German state of Bavaria, was delivered to Barcelona in four parts in July and prepared on a platform for installation.
The external structure, made of white glazed ceramic and glass, is designed to reflect light and withstand extreme weather conditions.
More than a century in the making
Construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882, but its architect, , did not expect to live to see it completed. Only one of its towers was standing when he tragically passed away in 1926. The basilica’s central tower is due to be completed on the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.
Work on the facades and interior of the church, however, will continue for several years. Full completion is only scheduled for the next decade, according to church authorities, exceeding 150 years of construction.
The work was financed exclusively by donations and, especially, by entrance fees. Last year, 4.9 million people visited the site.
