Rising high above the city skyline, the Sagrada Família is not just a church, it is a wonder of imagination, patience, and art. Located in Barcelona, this famous basilica is now set to become the tallest church in the world, taller than any other church ever built. What makes this moment even more special is that the Sagrada Família has been under construction for over 140 years. Generation after generation has watched it grow, tower by tower, stone by stone, turning it into one of the most extraordinary buildings on Earth.
Why is the Sagrada Família so tall?
The final height of the Sagrada Família will reach about 172.5 metres, making it taller than Germany’s Ulm Minster, which currently holds the record. The tallest tower is dedicated to Jesus Christ, and its height was carefully chosen to stay just below the nearby Montjuïc hill. The reason? Its designer believed that human creations should never be taller than nature. This idea makes the church not just tall, but thoughtful too.
Who designed this extraordinary church?
The Sagrada Família was designed by the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, who took over the project in 1883. Antoni Gaudí imagined a church inspired by nature, with towers shaped like mountains, columns like tree trunks, and light pouring in like sunlight through a forest. Antoni Gaudí knew the church would not be finished in his lifetime. He famously said, My client is not in a hurry, showing his belief that great things take time.
Why did it take so long to build?
Unlike most buildings, the Sagrada Família was funded mainly by donations. Construction also stopped during wars and changed over time as technology improved. Today, modern tools help builders follow Gaudí’s original plans more closely than ever before. The church is expected to be completed in the coming years, finally fulfilling a dream that began in the 19th century.
Millions of visitors from around the world visit Sagrada Família each year to admire its towers, colours, and symbols.
Fun Fact: No two towers of the Sagrada Família are exactly the same, each one tells a different part of the story through shapes and symbols.
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