Barcelona's Sagrada Familia reaches its maximum height after more than 140 years
A crane placed the upper arm of a cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ on Friday, bringing the sagrada familia to its maximum height of 172. 5 meters (566 feet) above Barcelona and moving the long-running project closer to completion ahead of centenary events this June.
Sagrada Familia hits 172. 5 meters
The upper arm of the cross was lifted into place on the church’s central tower, known as the Tower of Jesus Christ, which now measures 172. 5 meters (566 feet). Friday’s operation followed earlier lifts that last year made the basilica the world’s tallest church, a change in rank that came after another section of the central tower was raised.
Central tower still under construction and scaffolding to come down before June
Work continues inside the Tower of Jesus Christ, and the exterior remains surrounded by construction cranes and scaffolding. Removing that scaffolding and inaugurating the tower have been named priorities ahead of celebrations this June that will mark the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death.
Heritage, funding and the long build
The first stone of the basilica was laid in 1882, and Gaudí died in 1926 at the age of 73 after being hit by a tram; only one of the multiple towers was finished when he died. In recent decades construction has accelerated as millions of tourists have visited each year, and entrance fees largely fund the ongoing work.
The Sagrada Familia became the world’s largest church last October when it rose above the spire of Germany’s Ulmer Münster, which tops out at 161. 53 meters (530 feet). That change of status followed the successive additions to the central tower that culminated with Friday’s placement of the cross arm.
What visitors will see and the cross’s inscription
As Gaudí planned, the installed cross has four arms so its shape can be recognized from any direction; church officials have said the original designs also include a light beam from each arm if Barcelona’s city government allows it. At the base of the cross placed Friday afternoon is a prayer verse that reads: “You alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High. ”
The Sagrada Familia will hold several events to celebrate the Catalan Modernist’s legacy, with the scaffolding around the central tower expected to be removed in time for the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ during the June centenary activities.
