Miniature replicas of the new central tower that will crown the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, making it the largest Christian church in Europe, are displayed during a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Part of the new central tower that will crown the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, making it the largest Christian church in Europe, is photographed in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Partial view of the Sagrada Familia, during the presentation of the new central tower that will crown the Basilica, making it the largest Christian church in Europe, in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Part of the new central tower that will crown the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, making it the largest Christian church in Europe, is photographed in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
View of the Sagrada Familia, during the presentation of the new central tower that will crown the Basilica, making it the largest Christian church in Europe, in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia is ready to raise its highest tower and become Europe’s tallest church
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) 鈥 After well over a century under construction, Barcelona鈥檚 Sagrada Familia basilica is ready to raise its immense central tower and become the tallest Christian church in Europe.
Miniature replicas of the new central tower that will crown the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, making it the largest Christian church in Europe, are displayed during a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) 鈥 After well over a century under construction, Barcelona鈥檚 Sagrada Familia basilica is ready to raise its immense central tower and become the tallest Christian church in Europe.
The basilica鈥檚 General Director Xavier Mart铆nez said Thursday that 鈥渢he tower will be finished at the end of this year or the beginning of 2026.鈥
鈥淭his is an important moment in the history of the building of the Sagrada Familia because it will reach its maximum height,鈥 Mart铆nez told The Associated Press. 鈥淲e are used to seeing skyscrapers like those in the United States (go up), but it is remarkable that in the 21st century we are building a cathedral.鈥
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Once the gigantic Tower of Jesus Christ is up, the masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaud铆 will rise to 172 meters (564 feet). That will make it taller than the church in southern Germany, which tops out at 162 meters (531.5 feet).
The first pieces are already in place and the rest will be added in phases over the coming months. Once complete, the structure will be crowned by a cross and tightly surrounded by five other towers, one dedicated to Mary and four slightly shorter ones for the four evangelists.
Work on the facades and interior will continue for several years, the church鈥檚 head of construction Esteve Camps said, but the goal is to finish building work in approximately a decade from now.
100th anniversary of Gaud铆’s death
Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the death of Gaud铆. The church will hold several events to celebrate his legacy, which includes several stunning buildings in Barcelona and other places in Spain.
Pope Leo XIV has been invited for a solemn Mass to be held in Gaud铆鈥檚 memory on June 10, the day he died when struck by a streetcar in 1926. Sagrada Familia officials said that they hope to have a response from the Vatican in the coming weeks.
Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family in Spanish) and designated it a minor basilica in 2010.
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The first stone of the Sagrada Familia was placed in 1882. Gaud铆 never expected it to be completed in his lifetime. Only one of its multiple towers was finished when he died.
A fervent Catholic, Gaudi incorporated both Christian symbolism and organic forms into his unique aesthetic.
Work has sped up over recent decades as the basilica became a major . The money from entrance fees is used to fund the ongoing construction. Last year, 4.9 million people paid to visit it, with 15% of those tourists coming from the United States.
