Ulm loses the title: Sagrada Família becomes the tallest church in the world!

Ulm loses the title: Sagrada Família becomes the tallest church in the world!

In a significant twist in the history of architecture, the world's tallest church tower is no longer in Ulm, but in Barcelona. On November 2nd, 2025 the Swabian According to this, the first cross segment was placed on the central tower of the Sagrada Família, which has now reached an impressive height of 162.91 meters. This means that for the first time it towers over Ulm Minster, which is 161.5 meters high. The completed Sagrada Família is expected to reach a height of 172.5 meters in 2026 and the inauguration is scheduled for June 10, 2026, a significant date as it marks the centenary of the death of the famous architect Antoni Gaudí.

The Sagrada Família, designed by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, is famous worldwide. Construction of the basilica began in 1882, originally to a design by Francisco de Paula del Villar, which resulted from a financing initiative by José María Bocabella, founder of the Asociación Espiritual de Devotos de San José. Gaudí took over the project from 1883 and transformed the original neo-Gothic concept into a unique, organic-looking building that can accommodate 13,000 people. Known for its spiral pillars and hyperbolic vaults, the church is considered one of Barcelona's most impressive landmarks, like the Britannica describes.

A component of superlatives

The specified cross segment was installed on a 54 meter high platform above the central nave of the Sagrada Família. The outer shell of the component is made of white glazed ceramic and glass, materials that both reflect light and withstand extreme weather conditions. The construction is the result of donations and since 2002 has had an annual entrance fee of between 15 and 20 euros to finance an annual budget of 25 million euros.

The progress of the Sagrada Família is astonishing: by 2015, construction was 70% complete, with a clear goal of completing the remaining towers by 2026. Today, 13 of Gaudí's planned 18 spiers have already been completed. The basilica consists of three large facades: the Nativity facade, which shows scenes of Jesus' birth, the simple Passion facade, which depicts the passion of Christ, and the still unfinished Glory facade.

Architecture and history

Gaudí, who became increasingly pious as he worked, from 1910 devoted almost exclusively to the Sagrada Família, which became the religious symbol of the Renaixensa, a revival in Catalonia. His death in 1926 slowed construction greatly, as many of his designs were lost during the Spanish Civil War. Nevertheless, work continues on completing the Sagrada Família, to the delight of locals and tourists alike.

With the latest component, the Sagrada Família has not only taken over the title of the tallest church tower in the world, but has also reached a celebratory high point in the history of construction. Given the cultural and spiritual significance this building has acquired over the years, it remains to be seen how it will continue to develop. What is certain is that the Sagrada Família will continue to be a central symbol of Barcelona and the art of Antoni Gaudí, as well as its extensive history Wikipedia impressively presented.