The Sagrada Família in Barcelona has announced that, if weather and safety conditions allow, this Friday, February 20 the upper arm of the cross that will crown the tower of Jesus, the tallest in the temple designed by the venerable Antoni Gaudí, will be placed, the basilica itself reported on its official social media account.
The maneuver, which can be observed from the street and also followed live through the temple’s social media, marks a significant advance in the final phase of the construction of the central tower. This emblematic work of Catalan modernism has been under construction for more than 140 years and is now in its definitive stage of crowning the main cross.
Milestone in the construction of Gaudí’s temple
The Sagrada Família, officially known as the Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, began construction in 1882 and is one of the most unique architectural projects in the world. While many parts of the temple have been standing for decades, the tower of Jesus—which will reach a height of 172.5 meters—has always been the central piece of Gaudí’s vision for the basilica.
In recent months, the four horizontal arms of the cross have been completed and the central core that connects them has also been placed. The placement of the upper arm represents one of the last elements of the cross, whose culmination is expected in 2026, coinciding with the centenary of the death of the architect Antonio Gaudí.
The tallest church in the world
With the completion of the tower of Jesus, the Sagrada Família will reach 172.5 meters in height, becoming the tallest church in the world. The height was deliberately designed by Gaudí not to exceed the elevation of Montjuïc mountain, as a symbolic sign of respect for the work of Creation.
The culmination of the central tower not only completes the vertical axis of the temple but also consolidates the basilica as an architectural and spiritual reference on an international scale. The Sagrada Família, already declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its elements designed by Gaudí, is currently one of the most visited temples in the world and a recognizable symbol of contemporary Christianity.
The next papal visit
This advance in the construction of the central tower of the Sagrada Família takes on greater relevance in the context of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain in June, which would include a stop in Barcelona.
A few days ago the Archbishop of Tarragona, Joan Planellas, confirmed that Leo XIV’s trip would be from June 6 to 12 and would include an event at the Sagrada Família basilica on the occasion of the centenary of Antonio Gaudí’s death.