World’s Tallest Church Reaches New Heights After 143 Years

In Barcelona, Spain, the iconic Sagrada Familia has become the world’s tallest church after workers placed a cross atop its central tower, bringing its height to 534 feet and surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster for the first time since 1890.

“Each piece is valuable, and our mission is to place it in its exact spot,” said Rufino Galán, one of the crane operators overseeing the latest construction phase.

Designed by Antoni Gaudí, construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and has grown into a masterpiece of organic shapes and radiant stained glass. With final completion expected in 2026, the year marking Gaudí’s centenary, the church now stands as a lasting symbol of faith, creativity, and perseverance spanning nearly a century and a half.