Crane Crews Hoist Final Cross, Sagrada Família Reaches Maximum Height Ahead of Gaudí Centenary

Crane crews on Feb. 20, 2026 placed the upper arm of a cross atop the Sagrada Família’s central Tower of Jesus Christ, bringing the basilica to its planned maximum height of 172.5 metres (566 feet).

“A crane lifts the upper arm of the cross onto the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Feb”

Associated Press

Multiple outlets report the operation topped the central spire with the four-armed cross designed by Antoni Gaudí.

Associated Press

The addition marks the tower as the tallest point of the church’s long-running construction program and a visible milestone in the project’s century-plus history.

While the central tower is now at its highest point, outlets note substantial work remains, including interior finishes and exterior scaffolding and cranes that still obstruct the façade.

Several reports say scaffolding and cranes are expected to be removed before centenary events in June, and that the cross will be fully visible only after that work.

Azat TV

Azat TV and other outlets also stress long-term finishing tasks such as the Glory Facade, interior detailing and a grand staircase.

Reporting across outlets also highlights how the Sagrada Família’s funding and tourist draw underpin the construction.

“After over a century, Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Família basilica reached its peak height on Friday”

Euronews

Euronews cites around 4.8 million tickets sold in 2024.

Azat TV provides an annual funding figure of roughly €150 million from entrance fees and donations.

Multiple mainstream outlets note that millions of visitors and entrance revenues largely pay for ongoing work.

Work on the Sagrada Família began in 1882.

Gaudí died in 1926 with only one tower finished at his death.

Inquirer

The project suffered setbacks, notably the Spanish Civil War, which destroyed drawings and models.

Azat TV reported that many of Gaudí’s drawings and plaster models were destroyed by Catalan anarchists during the 1930s.

Work was also halted during the COVID‑19 pandemic when tourism collapsed.