Video | After 140 years, Sagrada Família nears completion
15 January 2026
The fourth horizontal arm of the cross at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, has been placed.
The Sagrada Família became the tallest church in the world in 2025.
The placement of the fourth arm of a statue of Jesus Christ follows the placement of the third arm a few days ago and the installation of the lower arm, the core, and the horizontal arms of the Nativity and Passion facades.
The arms are square shaped at the outer end and an octagonal shape at the inner end, which connects to the core. Each piece weighs approximately 12.8 tonnes and measures 4.40m x 4.50m x 4.50m.
Once completed, the cross will be 17m high, approximately the height of a five-storey building, and 13.5m wide.
Designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, the place of worship has been under construction in the centre of Barcelona for more than a century. The first stone of the Sagrada Família was placed in 1882.
The Sagrada Família became the tallest church in the world in 2025, after workers placed the first part of a cross at the top of its central tower meaning that it measured 162.9m tall. When completed later this year the final height will be 172.5m.
STAY CONNECTED
Receive the information you need when you need it through our world-leading magazines, newsletters and daily briefings.
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
