Sagrada Familia reaches major milestone

"Barcelona's Sagrada Familia reaches a major milestone as the central tower is completed after decades of construction. Credit : f11photo, Shutterstock If you've walked around Barcelona recently and glanced up at the Sagrada Familia, you might have noticed something different - not dramatic, but enough to feel significant. After more than a century of slow, patient construction, the basilica has now reached its maximum planned height, following the installation of the cross on top of the Tower of Jesus Christ."

"The moment itself was surprisingly quiet. A crane, careful positioning, and suddenly the city's most recognisable landmark looked just a little more complete than it did the day before. No big ceremony yet - but for many residents, it felt like watching history unfold in real time. At roughly 172 metres (566 feet), the tower now secures the Sagrada Familia's place as the tallest church in the world - a title it only recently claimed."

"The timing isn't accidental. Barcelona is preparing to mark 100 years since Antoni Gaudí's death this June, and completing the central tower has been high on the priority list. For decades, locals have grown used to seeing scaffolding wrapped around the basilica. The expectation now is that much of that will be removed before the official inauguration of the tower, meaning the skyline could finally reveal a cleaner view - something many people have never actually seen."

The central tower of the Sagrada Familia has been completed with the installation of a cross, bringing the basilica to its planned maximum height. The addition places the church at roughly 172 metres (566 feet), securing its status as the tallest church in the world. The final stages occurred quietly, with a crane positioning the cross and no large ceremony yet, though many residents experienced the moment as historic. Completion aligns with preparations for the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death. Scaffolding is expected to be removed before an official inauguration, and plans for night-time light beams remain under city approval.

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