Gaudí’s dream project towers above Barcelona’s skyline and has just claimed a new title – the Sagrada Familia is the world’s tallest church.
More than 140 years in the making, this ever-evolving stone masterpiece has inched higher and higher since construction began back in 1882. Visionary architect Antoni Gaudí is behind the Spanish basilica, which despite being unfinished, has long attracted visitors to admire his organic, boundary-pushing, nature-inspired designs.
But it’s not finished yet! Despite officially surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster in height, La Sagrada Família is still reaching for the stars with its record-breaking spire yet to be completed. Let’s look at Barcelona’s famous symbol of faith, creativity and daring spirit.
How tall is the Sagrada Familia?
On 31 October 2025, after the placement of a piece of the central tower (Tower of Jesus Christ), the Sagrada Familia ticked over a milestone – reaching 162.91 metres (534.5 feet) and officially surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster.
It was the day construction workers installed a 7.25-metre high (23.8 feet), 24-tonne lower arm of the cross. It sits on the top of the tower, putting the church just 1.38 metres (4.5 feet) higher than the German Gothic Lutheran cathedral. But the Sagrada Familia is still reaching for the stars – it will continue to grow toward its final height of 172 metres (564 feet).
When will the Sagrada Familia be finished?
After more than 140 years of construction, the finish line for the Sagrada Familia is finally in sight. Well, almost. Work on the mega church began in 1882, and while Gaudí knew he’d never see it completed, his vision continues to guide today’s architects and artisans who carry out his master vision.
The basilica’s builders now aim to complete the main structure by 2026, marking the centenary of Gaudí’s death. It’s likely some decorative work on the intricate facades and interior details will continue for up to a decade beyond that.
Despite the ongoing works, visitors in Barcelona can visit the Sagrada Familia to admire the completed central towers, view the colorful stained glass panels and check out the ongoing craftsmanship shaping the smaller details.
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Who was Antoni Gaudí?
Antoni Gaudí was Barcelona’s most visionary architect, and his creative genius can be seen across the city. Born in 1852 in Reus, Spain, Gaudí became the leading voice of Catalan Modernisme, blending Gothic tradition with organic, almost dreamlike forms.
You have to try and imagine how forward-thinking his work was in the late 19th-century, designing architecture that blended nature and geometry in lively forms. When you visit Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia isn’t the only must-see Gaudí site. There’s Park Güell, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, the Gaudí House Museum (where the architect lived) and the Colònia Güell crypt.
His greatest and most personal masterpiece is the Sagrada Familia, a project he devoted the last 40 years of his life to. Gaudí once said, “My client is not in a hurry,” knowing that this project was bigger than himself.
What does the Sagrada Familia mean?
In Spanish, “Sagrada Familia” means “Holy Family”, which is a fitting name for a Catholic church. If you look closely you’ll see every inch of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece tells a spiritual story. For example, the 18 towers represent key figures from the Bible – 12 apostles, 4 evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, whose central tower now crowns the skyline making this the world’s tallest church.
Gaudí wanted the basilica to feel like a living expression of faith, where nature and divinity intertwine. Step inside, look up and you’ll see the stone columns branch out like trees, and light filters through the amazing stained glass windows like sunrise through a forest. Gaudí’s approach to architecture finds harmony between the divine, creativity and engineering. His life’s work is a legacy that makes Barcelona a city like no other, and the Sagrada Familia is his masterpiece.
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What is the largest church in the world?
While Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia now holds the title of the world’s tallest church, the largest by interior size remains St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Covering over 15,000 square metres, St Peter’s can hold more than 20,000 worshippers beneath its grand Renaissance dome. By comparison, the Sagrada Familia’s design focuses on height and symbolism rather than scale, reaching upward instead of outward. Both buildings are marvels of devotion and architecture and define the skyline around them.
Visit the Sagrada Familia with Trafalgar
We’ll argue there’s no better way to explore the beating heart of Barcelona than with Trafalgar. We have half a dozen Spain tours that pass through the Catalan capital, and all include a visit to the Sagrada Familia with a Local Specialist.
Most of the time you’ll tour the basilica’s exterior, where you’ll see the 18 soaring towers and symbolism that covers the outside. If you want to go inside, use your spare time on tour or join Trafalgar’s Best of Spain trip to see the forest-like interior columns and rainbow-drenched stained glass.
Have you seen the world’s tallest church? Let us know if you’ll join a Spain tour in 2026 when it’s completed in the comments…