Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Reaches Full Height
After more than 140 years of construction, Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica has reached its maximum planned height. The final milestone was the placement of a cross atop the central Tower of Jesus Christ. The achievement makes it the tallest religious building in Europe, cementing its status as a singular architectural landmark.
- The basilica's construction is entirely funded by private sources, primarily through ticket sales and donations. In 2024, it generated €133.9 million in revenue from 4.83 million visitors, with 51.9% of the income allocated to construction costs. - For 137 years, the project proceeded without a valid building permit; in 2019, the Sagrada Família foundation agreed to pay the city of Barcelona $41 million over a decade to settle the issue and help fund public transportation improvements. - While the main structure is now complete, work on decorative elements and a controversial grand staircase leading to the main entrance is expected to continue until at least 2034. - The original architect, Antoni Gaudí, died in 1926 when less than a quarter of the project was complete. Construction was later slowed by the Spanish Civil War, during which anarchists destroyed many of Gaudí's original plans and plaster models. - The final stages of construction were significantly accelerated by modern technology, including computer-aided design (CAD), CNC milling machines, and the use of prefabricated stone panels. - The basilica is a major economic driver for Barcelona, spurring the development of its surrounding neighborhood and supporting a significant portion of the city's tourism industry, which accounts for 13.4% of local employment. - To complete the towers according to Gaudí's vision, stone has been sourced from various locations, including a quarry in Brinscall, England, since 2018. - Upon reaching its full height of 172.5 meters (566 feet), the Sagrada Familia surpassed Germany's Ulm Minster to become the tallest church in the world.
